Large-scale search with helicopter after two burglaries in Knittelfeld area remains unsuccessful
Two suspected burglaries in St. Margarethen and Landschach triggered a major police operation on Saturday evening. The perpetrators remained at large despite helicopter deployment.
Burglaries in Murtal: suspects continue to evade police after alert search
Two suspected burglaries triggered an extensive police operation in the Knittelfeld area on Saturday evening – involving a helicopter, rapid response units and police detection dogs. There is no trace of the suspects, according to Kleine Zeitung.
First incident: video surveillance triggers alarm
A homeowner in St. Margarethen near Knittelfeld spotted two dark-clothed individuals on the terrace of his residential building via his video surveillance system in the early evening and alerted police. Several patrols arrived and searched the building together with detection dogs – without result. No signs of forced entry were found; the two unknown individuals were apparently deterred by the alarm system and fled. Police subsequently launched a large-scale alert search.
Second incident five kilometres away
While this search was still underway, another burglary was reported from Landschach near Knittelfeld, approximately five kilometres from the first incident location. A man had checked on his sister's residential house and discovered signs of a break-in. As it could not be ruled out that perpetrators were still inside the building, the house was surrounded by several patrols. Officers from the rapid response unit (SIG) and a detection dog unit subsequently searched all rooms – the perpetrators had already escaped by that time.
Based on current investigative findings, at least two individuals forced their way into the single-family home and searched all rooms for valuables. They were apparently disturbed in the process and fled through a window on the upper floor onto an intermediate roof, from there further over the roof of the garage and a garden shed. Apparently only a small amount of cash was stolen.
Connection still unclear
Whether both incidents are related to one another is subject to ongoing investigations. The subsequent close-range search also yielded no results.
Police recently warned of professionally operating burglary groups that are increasingly adapting their methods and also operating during daytime hours. Suspicious individuals or vehicles should be reported immediately via the police emergency line 133 – with the most detailed descriptions of persons and registration plates possible. Independent pursuit or confrontation of suspicious individuals is expressly advised against. Flats should always be locked even during brief absences.
Source: Kleine Zeitung