Staples found in Halloween chocolate – police investigating in Styria
Staples have been discovered in Halloween sweets in the Styrian districts of Leibnitz and Weiz. Police have received four reports and are investigating on suspicion of aggravated assault.
Metal objects in Halloween sweets: Four reports in Styria
Parents in the Styrian districts of Leibnitz and Weiz have discovered metal objects in their children's sweets after Halloween. According to the Kleine Zeitung, staples were found hidden in several cases of children's chocolate – sweets that children had received when ringing strangers' doorbells.
One affected mother wrote in a Facebook group: "Fortunately, we noticed in time that there were staples stuck in the chocolate!"
Police have confirmed the incidents. A total of four reports from the affected districts have already been received by law enforcement. Investigations are currently underway against an unknown perpetrator and are still in their early stages. Authorities are investigating on suspicion of intentional aggravated assault. The authorities do not rule out that there may be further such cases in Styria. Parents are being urged to check Halloween sweets carefully and report any possible leads to police.
Styria is not an isolated case. In Linz, a 28-year-old father discovered nails in chocolate bars and chewing sweets belonging to his children and also filed a report. According to police, the nails measured about one centimetre. In some cases they were visibly pressed in from the outside, whilst in others they were embedded deep inside the sweets and not visible.
Similar incidents have also been reported from Germany. In Lower Saxony, a nine-year-old girl was injured after biting into a chocolate bar that contained a pin.
Source: Kleine Zeitung