Suche
Mein Konto
Expensive spirits stolen: Trio from Hartberg arrested!
Three men, including a 14-year-old, were arrested in Hartberg for stealing spirits. Investigations are ongoing.
Expensive spirits stolen: Trio from Hartberg arrested!
In the last few days, an unusual incident has occurred in Austria that has brought the police authorities into action. On Tuesday afternoon, July 3, 2025, three men were arrested on suspicion of stealing high-priced liquor since the end of June. The arrest took place in Hartberg after the police intervened in a shoplifting incident.
The suspects are a 14-year-old and a 24-year-old man from Ukraine and a 34-year-old Belarusian. In the suspect's rental car, officers discovered five carrier bags filled with high-quality spirits and food. In addition, three branded kitchen fittings were also seized, which could also have been stolen.
Investigations and damage amount
The investigating authorities managed to prove that the suspects had committed at least nine other thefts in Styria and Upper Austria, which indicates a structured approach. The total amount of damage amounts to a five-figure amount. Despite the incriminating evidence, none of the people involved confessed.
The Graz public prosecutor's office issued an order for the men to be sent to the Graz-Jakomini prison. The investigation continues to identify possible additional crime scenes and cases. Such incidents are particularly explosive when you consider that the Federal Criminal Police Office regularly keeps statistics on criminal developments in Austria in order to take targeted action against such crimes.
The Police Crime Statistics (PKS) has been used since 2001 to record all reported cases and is used for strategic planning of criminal police measures. This includes both preventative and repressive capabilities to combat crime. Long-term developments are analyzed to show the effectiveness of the measures.
The recent events in Hartberg highlight the challenges facing police authorities. As the investigation into the theft of high-end liquor progresses, the public continues to be reminded of the importance of reporting criminal activity. This is the only way to combat crime successfully, as oe24 and my district report.