Police arrest two over vehicle thefts worth 500,000 euros

Austria’s Federal Criminal Police Office and Burgenland’s State Criminal Police Office have solved a cross-border vehicle theft series, with two Slovak suspects arrested, ORF reports. Investigators attribute 21 thefts causing about 500,000 euros in losses and seven attempted thefts to the men.

A special commission called Operation Madaras had been investigating since early 2026, after thefts increased, mainly targeting vehicles made by the Volkswagen Group. Most were taken from park-and-ride facilities, railway stations and leisure facilities in Lower Austria and northern Burgenland.

Investigators linked a consistent pattern and suspected transport routes to a 54-year-old suspect. Stolen vehicles were quickly taken across the Austrian border towards Bratislava. On September 10, police monitored a suspicious vehicle as it entered Austria, with support from the police aviation unit and its Libelle Alpha helicopter, before making arrests.

Officers also arrested a 43-year-old Slovak man. A search of the vehicle uncovered a jammer, a professional electronic theft device, modified control units for several vehicle brands and other burglary tools.

Both suspects are in pre-trial detention on the order of the Wiener Neustadt public prosecutor’s office. The 54-year-old is reportedly confessing. The investigation is continuing.