Robberies in Italy

Gang leader will now be extradited to Austria

Following the arrest of a 35-year-old gang leader in Italy, who was wanted and arrested by the St. Pölten public prosecutor's office on a European arrest warrant, nothing stands in the way of his extradition to Austria. A court in Turin has now approved the transfer.

The man is alleged to be the head of a criminal organization and to have committed robberies in several locations in Austria in 2022 and 2023. His accomplices also come from Romania. The 35-year-old is said to have stolen or robbed luxury watches, cars and jewelry, among other things. A woman was also injured in one of the robberies.

The man, who had been hiding with relatives in Italy, was arrested in Alessandria and is in custody, as his lawyer Alexandro Maria Tirelli confirmed. The father of four children already has a criminal record in Italy for a theft in 2013.

Accused is probably the head of a gang
The Romanian is accused of setting up the criminal gang. Among other things, the gang broke into a villa in Amstetten last December and robbed a couple of cash amounting to 10,000 euros and watches worth 17,000 euros, according to the investigation files. The group is also said to have broken into several stores in Amstetten.

Woman severely attacked during the crime
In Seitenstetten, a jeweler was robbed and jewelry and watches worth 15,000 euros were stolen. The owner was hit in the head from behind and then wrapped in tape. The woman was handcuffed to a workbench in the store's workshop. A customer freed the victim shortly after the attack.

In Neufurth, a district of Amstetten, the gang is said to have defrauded a bank of 42,000 euros in 2022 with leasing contracts for cars. The suspect is said to have prepared his accomplices for the robberies. The Romanian, who has resisted extradition, faces several years in prison.