Fabricated robbery in Bruck an der Mur: 25-year-old faces €12,000 bill
A young Styrian invented an armed robbery and triggered a major manhunt as a result. He now faces up to five years in prison and a bill for nearly €12,000.
Invented knife attack triggers major manhunt with helicopter
A 25-year-old from the Bruck-Mürzzuschlag district called the emergency number in mid-March claiming to be the victim of an armed robbery – triggering a major operation involving 30 patrol cars and a helicopter in Bruck an der Mur. According to the Kleine Zeitung, the man reported two unknown assailants who allegedly attempted to steal his wallet and threatened him with a knife in the process.
None of this had actually happened. After extensive investigations and evaluations by police, the 25-year-old confessed during a further interview that he had completely made up the entire incident. The superficial cut wounds he had presented as evidence were self-inflicted.
The Leoben public prosecutor's office has concluded its investigation and charged the man at the end of October with making false statements as evidence, defamation, and filing a false report of a criminal offence. The hearing is scheduled for 18 November. The presumption of innocence applies.
If convicted, the defendant faces up to five years in prison. Andreas Riedler, spokesman for the Leoben public prosecutor's office, told the Kleine Zeitung that the man had already shown himself willing to confess during the suspect interview. According to Riedler, he could not provide a coherent explanation for his actions. "In summary, he says he was not doing well," Riedler said regarding his motive.
In addition to criminal consequences, the 25-year-old will be charged for the costs of the major operation. According to police information, these amount to nearly €12,000. The Styrian state police pointed to the statutory obligation to reimburse costs for deliberately triggered emergency calls.
Source: Kleine Zeitung