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Thief tries to mug police officer by mistake

An unlucky thief chose the wrong person to mug when he tried to steal a wallet from the pocket of an off-duty policeman in a carriage on the Vienna underground.

Published: 18 May 2016 10:50 CEST
Thief tries to mug police officer by mistake
Wiener Linien/ Johannes Zinner

The policeman in civilian clothing had spotted the thief as he tried to sneakily pull out the wallet from the back pocket of his trousers.

He had grabbed hold of his hand but the thief ran off the U6 train at Westbahnhof station.

He was stealthily followed by the officer, who spotted him at the station already targeting his next victims.

The policeman watched as he tried again to get hold of someone’s purse and then went in and arrested the man in front of numerous bystanders.

The suspect was reported for theft but since he is only accused of two attempts of theft he was allowed to go free for the time being, according to a police spokesperson

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CRIME

UPDATED: Vienna police investigating possible ‘threat’ to Donau Zentrum shopping centre

The Viennese police have confirmed they are investigating a possible - and unspecified - threat to the popular shopping centre in the city's 22nd district.

Published: 29 April 2024 17:32 CEST
UPDATED: Vienna police investigating possible 'threat' to Donau Zentrum shopping centre

The Vienna police confirmed they are investigating a non-specified threat to the Donau Zentrum shopping centre, located in the Austrian capital’s 22nd district, a spokesperson told The Local. 

On Monday, pictures of an alleged internal document sent by the shopping centre to tenants circulated on social media and messaging apps. The document stated there was a “threat against the Westfield Donau Zentrum for April 30, 2024”. It stated that the authorities had been working to identify suspects since yesterday.

“The source of the threat is a photo circulating online”, the statement said without giving further details. “If we receive additional information or specifications, we will immediately inform you”, it added.

“There is currently no reason for you as an employee to worry as we are strictly following police guidelines”, the document said. It was signed by a manager of the shopping centre. The Local reached out to Donau Zentrum media representatives, who confirmed a threat against the centre.

“The Center Management of Westfield Donau Zentrum can confirm a threat against the center and is in ongoing communication with the relevant authorities. We are taking the situation seriously. The safety of everyone in the center is our top priority. After coordination with the authorities, the center will be open as usual today”, they said.

The Vienna police confirmed the veracity of the statement and added, “We are aware of the matter and are investigating,” they replied after an inquiry on their official social media channels. The Local reached out to the press office for further clarification but has not yet received a response.

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