Armed robbery on tobacco transfers in Vienna-Meidling: Perpetrator fleeting!

Armed robbery on tobacco transfers in Vienna-Meidling: Perpetrator fleeting!

Wien-Meidling, Österreich - On April 18, 2025 at 11:30 a.m., an armed robbery occurred on a tobacco shop in the Vienna-Meidling district. A previously unknown man, estimated between 25 and 30 years old and about 180 cm tall, entered the business and used violence to demand cash from the 23-year-old employee. During the raid, the perpetrator wore a black hood, a dark jacket and an FFP2 mask and was armed with a suspected firearm that was in his waistband. In the argument, he hit the employee with his elbow in the face and tried to reach into the cashier. The employee called for her boss after she felt in danger.

The attack led to the immediate escape of the perpetrator in an unknown direction without making greater prey. Ultimately, he only stole two rods of cigarettes. Following the incident, the police ceased an immediate search, which was negative. The investigators ask for relevant information that can be submitted anonymously at any police station or on the phone number 01-31310-57800, as vienna.at reports.

increase in crime in Vienna

This incident is embedded in a worrying trend of increasing crime in Vienna. According to vienna.at, the number of predatory offenses increased by 18.1 % compared to the previous year, from 1,180 to 1,394. The increase in raids in public locations, which is recorded from 776 to 952, is particularly striking.

In addition, the violent crimes in the city are increasing. In 2024, 31,006 such crimes were registered, which corresponds to an increase of 5.2 % compared to 2023. The number of bodily harm rose to 16,268, while the cases of rape rose, from 468 to 519. The increase in youth crime is particularly critical, which is a major social problem. The number of suspects of young people under the age of 18 almost doubled from 8,360 in 2010 to 14,804 in 2024. This shows that the prevention work of the city and the creation of interdisciplinary working groups must be reinforced to combat child and youth crime.

Overall, the city recorded an increase in the police notices to 194,981 in 2024, while the number of clarified offenses rose from 82,584 to 84,696. However, the clearance rate fell slightly, from 44.3 % to 43.4 %. In view of these developments, it is essential that both the police and other institutions take measures to ensure the security of citizens.