Youth Crime in Vienna: First Prison Sentence for 14-Year-Old "System Crasher"

The newly established police task force for combating youth crime and representatives of the Vienna public prosecutor's office had marked March 23, 2025, in red on their calendars. On this day, a juvenile "system breaker," who is believed to have committed crimes in the triple digits in Vienna, turned 14 and thus became criminally responsible. The authorities' premonition that he would commit further crimes upon reaching the age of criminal responsibility was fulfilled.

The now 14-year-old is currently in custody. He was convicted for the first time last week at the Vienna Regional Court. He received a ten-week unconditional prison sentence for a car break-in. This was confirmed by the media office of the regional court to the APA on Thursday afternoon. The boy had smashed a window of a parked car with a hammer on March 25 - two days after his 14th birthday - with the intent to enrich himself.

"System Breaker" in Vienna: Not Yet 14, But Well Over 100 Records

In determining the sentence, it was taken into account that the almost childlike teenager had well over 100 prosecutorial records. He could not be held accountable for the corresponding offenses. At the time of the respective offenses, he was 13 years old or younger. For minors who are not yet 14 years old, the criminal code in this country does not apply insofar as child offenders cannot be punished.

According to the findings of the task force for combating youth crime, the now 14-year-old belonged to a gang that had specialized in break-ins for months and preferred to break into and operate locked cars. "The youngest members of this gang are eleven, twelve years old," an investigator told the APA. The one convicted for the first time last week stood out in particular: "Not a single week has passed where he hasn't kept the police busy."

Next Trial Against 14-Year-Old in Vienna Already on May 6

The Vienna public prosecutor's office has already prepared another indictment against the 14-year-old and an alleged accomplice - who will turn 16 next week. The two must answer to the regional court on May 6 for criminal association, aggravated commercial burglary, unauthorized use of vehicles, and suppression of documents. According to the indictment, they had "joined together with several still criminally irresponsible boys for a longer period to commit business break-ins."

The indictment includes, among other things, a break-in at a jewelry store, which was committed on the very 14th birthday of the "system breaker" convicted last week. On March 24, the gang smashed the glass of the entrance door, gained access to the store, and allegedly stole jewelry worth 13,310 euros.

Duo Regularly on Nightly Burglary Spree Since January

Since January, the duo, along with six named underage boys and other accomplices yet to be identified, is said to have gone on a burglary spree on at least 15 nights. On each night, at least three business premises were broken into. After some time, the accused switched to only providing lookout services. They deliberately left the task of ransacking the businesses and taking cash and valuables to those under 14 years old. They were aware that these individuals could not be punished due to their young age if caught in the act.

The criminals seemed to have particularly targeted car workshops and dealerships, where they took not only cash but also car keys. Several cars were stolen and equipped with stolen license plates to go on "joyrides."

On "Joyrides" with Stolen Cars

According to the indictment, the 14-year-old went on at least three "rides," one of which ended with a tire blowout and another with an accident where the stolen car - an American pick-up - was left inoperable with total damage. On March 28, he picked up the soon-to-be 16-year-old with a stolen car after the latter had been pursued by the police during a "ride" and had caused a serious accident.

During his escape from the authorities, the 16-year-old, without a driver's license and despite darkness, poor visibility, and continuous rain, sped through the city at far excessive speeds. He crossed intersections at speeds beyond 100 km/h, changed lanes multiple times, and indeed managed to escape. However, he then lost control of his vehicle in Vienna-Leopoldstadt, skidded, and crashed into the rear of a parked car, causing his vehicle to overturn. The stolen Toyota ended up on its roof. Two passengers - both 13 years old and part of the youth gang - were injured, unlike the driver. One suffered a broken arm, the other a knee injury.

16-Year-Old "Active" Since December According to Indictment

The soon-to-be 16-year-old is considered the main defendant in the upcoming trial not only for this reason. The prosecution believes it can prove a multitude of offenses committed by him since the end of 2024. He is said to have spent another 28 nights on burglary sprees without the co-accused 14-year-old, using accomplices who were not yet of criminal age. In addition to serious commercial burglary in connection with a criminal organization, he is also charged with resisting state authority and negligent bodily harm in connection with the police chase and subsequent crash.

(APA/Red)

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