For months, he prowled Zagreb, attacking most of his victims from behind.

A 34-year-old man has been arrested in Zagreb after being accused of committing up to 22 criminal offenses over several months, including multiple thefts targeting elderly women. The suspect allegedly robbed victims of their jewelry by approaching them from behind, often using surprise as his method. Police have confirmed that he was apprehended following a multi-month investigation into a series of crimes that primarily affected older female residents in the city. The alleged crimes took place mainly in the areas of Novi Zagreb, Utrine, Dugave, Siga and Sopot between August 2025 and July 2026. According to police reports, the suspect systematically approached elderly women, often using deception or intimidation to carry out his attacks. In one instance, he interrupted a conversation with a victim to distract her attention before stealing her jewelry. In another case, he pretended to be polite, opened the door to a residential building, and then suddenly removed a chain from the victim’s neck. Two incidents were described as particularly violent. On April 17, around 1 pm, the suspect reportedly approached a woman wearing a mask, covered her mouth to prevent her from calling for help, and stole her jewelry. This act led to charges of robbery. Later in May, after stealing a necklace from a woman, she attempted to stop him, but he used physical force to remove the item and fled the scene. Police classified this incident as a robbery. Investigations revealed that the stolen jewelry was typically sold to businesses specializing in the purchase of precious metals within hours of the thefts. Through these sales, the suspect is believed to have earned approximately €25,000, which he spent on personal expenses. The police emphasized that the suspect was not unknown to authorities, having previously received multiple criminal complaints for similar offenses over the past year. Following the completion of the criminal investigation, the suspect was handed over to the detention officer, and a special report was submitted to the relevant state prosecutor's office. Authorities stressed that the suspect had a history of such offenses, indicating a pattern of behavior rather than isolated incidents. The police department in Zagreb noted that the suspect’s actions were not random, suggesting a deliberate strategy aimed at vulnerable individuals. His methods included both psychological manipulation and direct physical confrontation, highlighting the need for increased vigilance among the elderly population. The ongoing investigation continues to gather more evidence, with the possibility of further charges being filed against the suspect.