For months police at Vienna International Airport were searching for the person responsible for repeatedly stealing expensive products – including tobacco, cigars, and lighters – from the duty free shop.
After catching the 52-year-old British hairdresser he told authorities he carried out the thefts to cover the costs of frequently flying back and forth from the UK to Vienna.
“My girlfriend lives here in Austria and she has two children. I have to steal so I can pay for the expensive tickets for the frequent flights,” said the hairdresser, a fan of underdog football team Leicester City who recently won the English Premier League.
“The suspect pocketed everything that was highly priced in the duty free shop,” a police officer told Heute newspaper.
The 52-year-old was released but faces possible charges for theft.