Assault rifle theft: Carinthian has to answer in court!

Assault rifle theft: Carinthian has to answer in court!

In June 2024, a spectacular theft occurred in Althofen, in which two assault rifles of the Austrian army were stolen. A 35-year-old defendant, who stands in front of the Klagenfurt regional court on March 19, 2025, was accused of struck the side window of a Bundesheer truck and then stolen the weapons and other military equipment from the driver's cab. Among other things, this reported Small newspaper.

The public prosecutor, represented by Denise Walk-Ebner, complained to the man for severe theft, property damage and further offenses. While the accused claimed to have only stolen a assault rifle, prosecutors and judges were convinced that he stole both rifles. The public prosecutor in particular mentioned that the man was active in the drug milieu at the time of theft and possibly had a buyer for the second rifle. Despite his drug addiction and unemployment, judge Manfred Herrnhofer did not accept this as an excuse. He condemned the accused of five months of imprisonment and a fine of 2,000 euros, whereby the continuation of ongoing drug therapy is a prerequisite for the conditional detention. Further investigations regarding the stolen assault rifle are required, as well as 5min reported.

The circumstances of the theft are alarming, since not only weapons, but also other military equipment such as radio devices and exercise ammunition have been stolen. The police ensured that the man could be taken through intensive investigations, which reduces the danger in the region. The trial before the regional court is eagerly awaited, since the presumption of innocence applies and the accused still has three days to make an appeal.