Police detain five youths over Perg burglary series

Police have detained five youths suspected of carrying out several burglaries at inns in the Perg district, ORF reported. The suspects, aged between 14 and 18, are from Linz and Leonding in the Linz-Land district.

The youths allegedly broke into two inns and stole several waiter wallets, among other items. They entered one building through an open window and smashed a window at the other. The wallets were later emptied and discarded in a cornfield.

The group travelled in an unregistered car fitted with stolen licence plates. Police stopped the vehicle as the youths returned to Linz and arrested them. Officers found burglary tools and cash inside.

Three suspects were transferred to Linz prison, while another was reported to prosecutors but remained at liberty. Investigators later identified and arrested a 16-year-old Russian national from Linz. He is suspected of involvement in seven burglaries.

Investigators have so far cleared up 10 burglaries. The Upper Austria State Criminal Police Office is continuing to investigate further offences and possible accomplices.