Police arrest two suspects in dusk burglary series

Police in Lower Austria have arrested two men suspected of a series of dusk burglaries after catching them during a break-in in Loosdorf, ORF reported. The stolen goods are worth more than 50,000 euros.

Investigators identified the suspects’ alleged getaway vehicle and their home address in Vienna. The men, aged 47 and 48, triggered an alarm while trying to open a safe in Loosdorf on Tuesday evening. They were arrested while fleeing near St. Pölten shortly afterwards.

A search of their Vienna home, ordered by the St. Pölten public prosecutor’s office, uncovered some of the stolen property and burglary tools. The suspects allegedly targeted homes at dusk, taking jewellery, gold coins and cash.

Burglaries reported in three districts

The two Serbian men are suspected of burglaries since early October in the districts of St. Pölten, Tulln and Melk. The cases include four attempted break-ins in Tulln, Oberndorf in der Ebene and Traismauer, as well as completed burglaries in Traismauer and Loosdorf. They were remanded in custody at St. Pölten prison on the prosecutor’s orders.

Police advise residents to install certified security windows and doors and make homes appear occupied when they are away, for example by using timers for lights. They also recommend neighbourhood watch and removing signs that a home is unoccupied.