Brutal home invasion

Pensioner was tied up at home all night

The burglars were caught in the act.

(Bild: Polizei)

A 76-year-old woman probably surprised several burglars in her house in Untertullnerbach (Lower Austria). The strangers then tied up the pensioner and left her helpless. She was only found after around 15 hours.

Criminals were apparently caught red-handed after gaining access via a broken door at the end of February. While searching for valuables, the occupant (76) suddenly stood in front of them. The presumably two or three visibly surprised men tied the frightened pensioner to a chair and fled with a small amount of cash.

"The victim was very lucky"
It was not until around 15 hours later that acquaintances who regularly look after her came by and discovered the woman. They immediately called the emergency services. "The victim was very lucky," says one of the investigators. The restraints were so tight that her blood circulation was already impaired. She had also been hidden under blankets and items of clothing - an absolutely exceptional situation for the pensioner, both physically and mentally.

The woman was taken to hospital and received medical treatment. The 76-year-old is now well again and at home. However, she will have to deal with the shock for some time to come.

No abuse
A classic home invasion like the recent one in Würnitz in the district of Korneuburg, where three perpetrators were also caught red-handed by the homeowners and one of the criminals was even shot, is unlikely to have happened in this case. "The burglars probably didn't expect anyone to be in the house. In addition, the woman was not brutally abused - as is usually the case - in order to make as much loot as possible," said a police officer.