Man confesses to crimes

Petrol station robber rats out his accomplices

The 35-year-old is said to have robbed several petrol stations together with other criminals.

(Bild: Shourot/Maurice Shourot)

Trial for aggravated robbery at St. Pölten Regional Court: 35-year-old Romanian man pleads guilty but claims to have been "only a henchman". One of his accomplices is already behind bars.

Extremely brutal and unscrupulous, but not always successful, criminals carried out several robberies at petrol stations in the Mostviertel region between the beginning of November last year and July this year. Armed with folding knives and pistols, the men are also said to have deceived their victims with "role-playing games". For example, they pretended to be police officers checking people for drugs.

The 35-year-old is being tried at the St. Pölten regional court.

(Bild: P. Huber)

In this way, they stole a wallet containing around 550 euros from a mechanic. In return, the 46-year-old received plenty of blows. "I was hit in the face several times with a flashlight. I bled a lot," the victim reported. One member of the gang of robbers has now had to stand trial.

Another perpetrator - the alleged leader - is already behind bars. And the 35-year-old defendant is also a repeat offender. The Romanian already has numerous crimes (from theft to assault) on his criminal record.

Yes, I was at the gas stations. But there were "shell games" planned. I took part in the crimes, but I didn't threaten anyone with a weapon.

Angeklagter gesteht vor Gericht in St. Pölten seine Beteiligung an den Überfällen

According to the father of the family, the motive for the robberies was primarily a need for money. In court, the 35-year-old pleaded guilty to his involvement in the robberies, although he had only acted as an unarmed henchman and driver. He willingly gave the names of his accomplices. After some witnesses were absent without excuse or were unable or unwilling to enter Austria, the trial was adjourned.