
A trial involving a series of “smash-and-grab” burglaries kicked off Monday in Wiener Neustadt. The crimes, which took place in 2023, targeted jewelers in Shopping City Süd (SCS) in Vösendorf, the Donauzentrum in Vienna, and another location in Wiener Neustadt. The accused are also suspected of blowing up an ATM in Markgrafneusiedl. The total damage from these crimes is estimated to be around 500,000 euros.
Three men are on trial: two from the Netherlands and one from Bulgaria. They have admitted to some of the charges, and the trial is set to continue on Thursday.
International Crime Ring Suspected
The suspects are believed to be part of an international crime ring that operates in Germany and neighboring countries. In the burglaries at SCS and the Donauzentrum, they allegedly used stolen BMW cars to smash into the stores. Once inside, they broke open display cases with hammers and crowbars and fled with valuable jewelry. According to the prosecutor, the criminals were extremely reckless and destroyed evidence by setting the cars on fire. The Bulgarian suspect is said to have provided a base for the Dutchmen and acted as their driver.
The 29-year-old Dutchman confessed to attempting a robbery in Wiener Neustadt on January 12, 2023. His DNA was found on a sledgehammer used in the crime. However, he and his 32-year-old compatriot denied involvement in the burglaries at SCS on May 22 and at the Donauzentrum on June 20.
Details of the Burglaries and Arrests
During the SCS burglary, the suspects allegedly forced open an emergency exit, drove a car into the mall, and rammed a security gate. One of them followed on foot with bags, and together the,ey smashed display cases, stealing jewelry worth around 150,000 euros. They then fled the scene. In the Donauzentrum burglary, they are accused of ramming a glass door and escaping with jewelry worth about 180,000 euros. The court noted that the 29-year-old’s phone was in Austria during both crimes. He claimed he was working as a locksmith in the country then.
A DNA match linked the 32-year-old to another burglary at a jeweler in Wiener Neustadt on June 26, 2023. He admitted to being in Austria for that crime because he was in debt and felt he couldn’t refuse the job. The suspects blew up a display window and stole jewelry worth nearly 2,800 euros before fleeing when the police arrived. The 32-year-old claimed he wasn’t present during the explosion and that his accomplice wasn’t the second defendant.
Shortly after setting the getaway car on fire, the 29-year-old’s phone was tracked near Ebreichsdorf, according to court records. He claimed he had taken a taxi to a parking lot to pick up another car.
All three men admitted to the ATM burglary. The 32-year-old said he carried out the explosion, while the Bulgarian confessed to renting a car for the crime and setting it on fire afterward. The police arrested the trio at the Bulgarian’s apartment, where they found explosives, license plates, and a device used to disable car security systems.
The suspects face multiple charges, including burglary, arson, and property damage. The Bulgarian is accused of mainly helping with the crimes. The trial is scheduled for two days, with the next session on Thursday.