Tracking system leads police to suspected stolen-bike depot

Police found 10 bicycles and e-bikes suspected of being stolen in an empty apartment building in Vienna’s Meidling district after tracking data led them to the address, ORF reported.

The investigation began when a 62-year-old man from Bad Vöslau in Lower Austria used a tracking system on his missing e-bike to locate it. Officers from the Meidling city police command went to the address he provided.

They also seized numerous bicycle parts and tools. Two men found in the building, a 23-year-old Slovak citizen and a 50-year-old Czech citizen, were provisionally arrested. On the order of the Vienna public prosecutor’s office, they were later reported on suspicion of commercial theft but were allowed to remain at liberty. Both deny involvement.

Two of the seized e-bikes, including the 62-year-old’s, and one bicycle have been returned to their owners. Further investigations are under way.