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Austrian commits robbery so he can ‘start over’ in prison

An Austrian who robbed a fast food restaurant in Vienna told police he did it because he wanted to be jailed so he could have fresh start.

Published: 29 August 2016 12:01 CEST
Austrian commits robbery so he can 'start over' in prison
LPD Wien

The 33-year-old suspect handed himself into police just a few minutes after carrying out the robbery on the restaurant in Vienna’s Leopoldstadt district on Friday morning.

He had held up the restaurant with a blank-firing gun and threatened an employee into handing over €85 in cash from the till.

Once he got hold of the cash, however, he went to the nearest police station and handed himself in.

After the 33-year-old was arrested he told officers that he was suffering financial problems and wanted a new start in life.

“He was very unhappy with his life situation,” police spokesman Christoph Pölzl told the ORF. “He said during the interrogation that he wanted to be locked up so he could have a fresh start.”

The suspect is currently being detained in jail.

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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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