13-year-old from Dornbirn suspected: Attempted robbery of 64-year-old in Rankweil
A 64-year-old was injured in an attempted robbery in Rankweil on 3 November. Two minors are suspected of the crime, including a 13-year-old with over 300 offences.
Attempted robbery in Rankweil: 13-year-old back in police spotlight
According to vorarlberg.orf.at, a 64-year-old man fell victim to an attempted robbery in Rankweil on 3 November at around 22:30. The man was walking home when a youth asked him for an address. A second youth attacked him from behind at the same time.
The two attackers brought the 64-year-old to the ground with blows and continued kicking him in an attempt to snatch his valuables. It was only when a car passed by and its occupants noticed the incident that the two youths fled on bicycles in the direction of Basilika Rankweil. The victim sustained injuries to his head and upper body and was taken to Feldkirch State Hospital.
An immediate search initially proved unsuccessful. Following extensive investigations by the Vorarlberg State Criminal Police Office and Rankweil Police Station, a 13-year-old and a 15-year-old came under the authorities' scrutiny — both were already known to police.
According to police, the 13-year-old is also suspected of severely injuring a 72-year-old man in Dornbirn in late October. In total, he is attributed with more than 300 offences this year. When questioned, he stated that he had committed the robbery in Rankweil together with the 15-year-old. As he is below the age of criminal responsibility, he cannot be prosecuted or held in pre-trial detention; police handed him over to his parents.
The 15-year-old was arrested at his home address on Tuesday and remanded in custody at Feldkirch Prison. He did not confess to the attempted robbery.
The case has reignited debate over lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 12 years. The Vorarlberg regional government has spoken out strongly in favour of this. The Vorarlberg Children and Youth Advocate opposes such a reduction and instead advocates for a statutory obligation on parents to cooperate with the authorities.
Source: Google News AT — Crime (de)