Shoplifting suspects in Vienna caught with a banned weapon during arrest
An attempted shoplifting incident at a DIY store in Vienna-Favoriten led to police intervention. Two men were caught trying to leave without paying for items. Officers later discovered one suspect was carrying a banned weapon.
The suspects, aged 21 and 23, were initially identified as Slovak nationals. Police later clarified they originally came from Syria.
The incident began when a loss prevention officer spotted the two men acting suspiciously. They were seen attempting to exit the store with unpaid goods. The officer immediately alerted the police.
Officers apprehended the suspects near the checkout area and placed them in provisional custody. During the arrest, they found a cosh—a prohibited weapon under Austria’s Firearms Act—on the 28-year-old suspect. The weapon was confiscated, adding to the severity of the charges.
Both men were later released pending further investigation. However, they were formally reported for the alleged shoplifting and the weapons violation. Authorities confirmed that, despite the charges, the suspects remain presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
Investigations into both the attempted theft and the illegal possession of the weapon are still ongoing.
The case now rests with prosecutors as the investigation continues. The confiscated cosh and the alleged shoplifting attempt will be examined as part of the legal proceedings. Both suspects await further developments while remaining free under investigation.
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