Brutal robbery in Simmering: Perpetrator escaped with pepper spray!

Brutal robbery in Simmering: Perpetrator escaped with pepper spray!

On Monday evening, June 3, 2025, the Simmering district of Vienna experienced a brutal robbery in a garage. How vienna.at Reportedly, the victim was attacked by two unknown perpetrators after getting out of his vehicle. They used pepper spray against the victim and struck him several times. The victim suffered minor injuries and received emergency medical treatment before being taken to hospital.

The perpetrators stole cash and then fled in an unknown direction. Immediate searches by the police have so far been unsuccessful. The Vienna State Criminal Police Office, South Branch, has taken over the investigation and is looking for further clues.

Rising crime in Vienna

The incident is not isolated but comes within the context of a worrying increase in violent crime in the city. According to a recent publication of crime statistics, reported vienna.at, the total number of police reports in Vienna increased from 186,475 in 2023 to 194,981 in 2024. This 4.6% increase is accompanied by a significant increase in robberies, which increased by 18.1% to 1,394 cases over the same period.

Particularly alarming is the increase in robberies in public places, which rose from 776 in 2023 to 952 in 2024. In addition, juvenile crime also increased, indicating an increased presence of younger perpetrators. The police have now set up an interdisciplinary working group to specifically address the challenges in the area of ​​child and juvenile crime.

The new situation raises questions about how the security situation in the city can be secured in the future and what measures are necessary to better protect the population. In view of this increase, the authorities' investigative work continues to be closely monitored, while residents hope for greater security.