Almost 50 criminal offenses

Courageous landlord hunts down serial offender

Peter F. (42) kept the serial offender (18) at bay with a spade.

(Bild: Christian Schulter, Krone KREATIV)

It is thanks to the courage of a landlord in Burgenland that the police were able to put a stop to a young professional criminal. The father of the family had caught him in his cellar and turned him in. Arrest! Almost 50 burglaries and thefts in three federal states can already be attributed to the serial offender, who is only 18 years old, according to the investigations.

On the night of Palm Sunday, Peter F. reportedly heard suspicious noises coming from the cellar of his house in Pinkafeld. The father of the family, who was already in bed, quickly went to see what was going on - and caught a criminal who had already laid out expensive tools as loot for removal.

Immediately suspicious
"Armed" with a spade, the 42-year-old forced the intruder into a tool shed on the property and guarded him until the police arrived. As the arrested man not only had two knives in his pocket, but was also carrying jewelry and a watch, apparently from another robbery, investigators assumed that the thief was probably a serial offender.

Thanks to the surveillance camera, the homeowner quickly spotted the intruder on his spree.

(Bild: Christian Schulter)

Intensive investigations have now confirmed the initial suspicion. Experienced specialists from the Oberwart branch of the State Office of Criminal Investigation were able to prove that the Moldovan had committed more than 40 further burglaries and thefts. In some cases, the criminal failed and only made one attempt. His trail stretches across Lower Austria, Styria and Burgenland. Among other things, he carried out coups at the Römersee campsite in Wiesen and in Forchtenstein.

Peter F. helped the police investigate the crime scene.

(Bild: Christian Schulter, Krone KREATIV)

Forests as a stash of loot
There is evidence that the accused has been up to mischief in this country since May of last year. According to investigations, he had hidden stolen e-bikes and e-scooters of the high-priced category in forests in all three federal states, only to sell them on the black market after a certain period of time.

Police success
To the delight of the victims, the police were able to track down a number of stolen items and return them to their owners. Even cash that the 18-year-old had snatched from unlocked cars was recovered. The loss amounts to well over 10,000 euros.

The accused is now in custody at the prison in Eisenstadt. In addition to offenses such as burglary and grand theft, he is also accused of forging documents.