In Half a Year: Drug Addicts Committed 344 Crimes in Vienna

The investigations began last summer after a suspect was arrested for burglary offenses. Analyzing his mobile phone revealed that he was also involved in the fencing of stolen bicycles. The group operated in different compositions. Mostly from basement compartments, the suspects, aged 29 to 48, took e-bikes, bicycles, e-scooters, and other items. Through two fences, they sold the stolen goods for a fraction of their value to finance their drug addiction. Business and residential burglaries were also attributed to the group.

Huge Fencing Warehouse Uncovered in Vienna-Neubau

The two fences ultimately sold the stolen goods towards Russia, where more stolen items are suspected. During the investigations, basement compartments were regularly found that served as interim storage for the stolen items. The largest seizure occurred last December when a 50 square meter fencing warehouse was uncovered in the Neubau district. There alone, 32 stolen e-bikes worth more than 100,000 euros and stolen dietary supplements worth several tens of thousands of euros were secured.

New suspects were continuously identified and arrested by order of the public prosecutor's office. The authority worked closely with the police. By February 2025, a total of 13 suspects were arrested. They are Russian and Austrian nationals. Four of them have already been sentenced to partially multi-year, unconditional prison terms. The investigations are not yet concluded.

Procurement Crime: 62 Bicycles Secured So Far

The police have so far secured 62 e-bikes, bicycles, and e-scooters. 36 bicycles could be returned to their rightful owners. Some affected families even traveled from abroad to reclaim their bicycles, which were stolen during their vacation in Vienna. For this reason, the criminal investigators are eager to trace more of the secured bicycles. The police therefore advise that photos of the bicycle should be taken and the frame number, brand, and type should be recorded so that they can be more easily identified in the event of theft.

(APA/Red.)

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