Police arrest suspect in nationwide vehicle parts thefts

A 49-year-old Hungarian national has been arrested in Brunn am Gebirge in Mödling district after a series of vehicle break-ins across Austria, ORF reported. He is suspected of stealing high-value vehicle parts, with total damage estimated at several hundred thousand euros.

The investigation began after a break-in at a car rental company in Graz in early July. Several vehicles were damaged, with windows smashed and parts including light modules, bonnets and front fascias removed.

Police subsequently linked the case to around 60 similar incidents in Styria, Burgenland, Vienna, Lower Austria and Upper Austria. Investigators connected vehicles belonging to the 49-year-old to several crime scenes. In one break-in in Vienna-Favoriten, a vehicle registered to him was left near the scene, although the perpetrator escaped.

Police observed the man again in Austria in early August, including near car dealerships and company car parks, but could not establish a specific offence at the time.

According to police, the man entered Austria again through the Klingenbach border crossing in Burgenland on August 18. Officers followed him to an industrial area in Brunn am Gebirge, where he allegedly surveyed the surroundings on an electric scooter.

During the following night, he allegedly removed light modules and bonnets from vehicles at a car dealership. He was arrested while carrying the parts to his vehicle. The break-in caused damage of about 15,000 euros, police said.

The suspect was taken to Graz and admitted only to the Brunn am Gebirge break-in during questioning, according to police. On the order of the Vienna Public Prosecutor’s Office, he was remanded in Graz-Jakomini prison. Investigations into further crime scenes and possible connections are continuing.