Police in the district of Amstetten investigated serial thief: arrested

Police in the district of Amstetten have arrested a serial thief following multiple thefts in Lower and Upper Austria. The suspect, a 35-year-old man from Romania, was identified after investigations by officers from the St. Valentin police station. He had been committing crimes primarily in the districts of Melk and Amstetten since early August, targeting unattended waiter’s pouches in restaurants and cash registers in shops. Following a tip-off, authorities were able to confirm his identity and launched a manhunt for him. The Public Prosecutor's Office in St. Pölten ordered his arrest. The breakthrough came when the suspect attempted to commit another theft in a company located in Spital am Pyhrn, within the Kirchdorf an der Krems district. An employee caught him in the act as he tried to sneak into the sales area to steal a cash register. The Romanian fled without the stolen goods alongside a second person in a car. Police from the Styrian Regional Police Directorate, who had been deployed for immediate pursuit, managed to stop the fleeing vehicle in Rottenmann, within the Liezen district. Both occupants of the car, the already identified 35-year-old suspect and a 28-year-old woman from Romania, were temporarily detained. Following this arrest, the investigation was taken over by staff from the St. Valentin police station. So far, the 35-year-old has been linked to two attempted and seven completed thefts, with total damages amounting to approximately €9,000. The man was subsequently placed in custody at the St. Pölten prison upon order from the Public Prosecutor's Office in St. Pölten. The 28-year-old woman will be brought before the same public prosecutor. The incidents began in early August, with the suspect targeting businesses in Melk and Amstetten. His actions continued until the incident in Spital am Pyhrn, which led to his capture. The police had been monitoring the situation closely and were able to identify the suspect through their investigations. The case highlights the effectiveness of local law enforcement in tracking down individuals responsible for repeated criminal activities. The suspect’s arrest followed a period of several weeks during which he committed multiple thefts across different locations. Each crime was characterized by the absence of direct witnesses, making identification difficult. However, the police were able to piece together enough evidence to trace the suspect back to his origin and eventually apprehend him. This case underscores the importance of continuous surveillance and prompt response by local police forces. Authorities have confirmed that the 35-year-old Romanian man faces charges related to the seven completed thefts and two attempted ones. The investigation into the 28-year-old woman is ongoing, with the Public Prosecutor's Office in St. Pölten determining whether she will face similar charges. The police have stated they are continuing to review all available evidence to ensure that all aspects of the case are thoroughly examined. The incident serves as a reminder of the persistent threat posed by serial thieves operating in regional areas.