Residents catch suspected burglar after Vienna apartment break-in

Residents caught a 30-year-old suspected burglar after surprising him inside an apartment in Vienna’s Leopoldstadt district on Thursday afternoon, ORF reported.

Police spokeswoman Irina Steirer said the man forced open the apartment door at about 2.30 p.m. The noise woke the family inside. One resident went into the hallway and saw the intruder taking a wallet from a handbag. The suspect then fled.

The resident chased him and met a neighbour, who said the same man had also broken into his apartment. The two continued the pursuit and found the suspect near a tobacco shop. They subdued him and held him until police arrived.

Witnesses told police that the Hungarian national had earlier tried to sell two hair clippers, an electric scooter and a beach shelter. Police recovered all the stolen items and arrested him.