The Vienna police are searching for a very young-looking robber and his five accomplices. The young man arranged a meeting with a 49-year-old through a dating platform for homosexuals in February. When the man arrived at the meeting point, near a Catholic church in Favoriten, six young men attacked him and stole his wallet and phone. According to the police, the 49-year-old was slightly injured during the robbery.
The case bears similarities to a series of hate crimes uncovered by the police in Styria. The Vienna investigators have contacted their colleagues in Styria, but it appears that this case is not connected to the other incidents.
Screenshot of the Suspect’s Photo Taken
The 49-year-old victim reported that he had arranged to meet a young man aged between 18 and 20 on the evening of February 22. Upon arriving at the square near the church, six individuals attacked him. The group beat and kicked the 49-year-old, including the young man who appeared in the profile photo on the dating platform. After the attack, the man went home, deleted his profile, and created a new one. During this process, he managed to take a screenshot of his “date” and then went to the police to file a report.
At the request of the Vienna public prosecutor’s office, the Vienna State Police Directorate has now released a photo of the alleged perpetrator. Anyone with relevant information, including anonymously, is asked to contact the Vienna Criminal Investigation Department, South Branch, at the phone number 01/31310/DW 57800.
