Youth gang charged

74 crimes and over 40,000 euros in loot

The Leopoldskroner Bad in Salzburg was also the scene of the crime

(Bild: Berger Susi)

Six suspected young criminals aged between 15 and 17 will soon have to stand trial. They are said to have committed no less than 74 crimes, including 14 burglaries at outdoor swimming pools in Salzburg and Upper Austria.

It is the next case of shocking juvenile delinquency that will be tried from April 8 to 10 at the Salzburg Provincial Court: A gang of six youths - four Austrians, one Afghan and one Russian aged between 15 and 17 - are alleged to have committed 74 crimes in the previous year. The public prosecutor's office lists the offenses on 25 pages, the majority of which concern burglaries. The manner in which they were committed can be described as brazen: Young people broke into 14 swimming pools in Flachgau, Tennengau, the city of Salzburg and Upper Austria between June and July - sometimes in pairs, sometimes in threes.

Theyalso targeted e-scooters
They usually broke into the pool buffets and kiosks via smashed windows, stealing cash in particular. And in some cases, the young criminals caused considerable damage, such as in Salzburg's "Lepi". But tobacconists, restaurants, fashion stores and a beekeeper's stall were also targeted. The young criminals are also said to have broken into a number of e-scooters. They also broke into cars - some of which they borrowed for joyrides.

According to the indictment, the haul exceeded 40,000 euros. Two of the crimes resulted in injuries: a bus driver who was punched and a cyclist who was rammed while one of the accused was driving off the road.