DNA trace left behind

Attack on police: suspect identified

The perpetrator had placed a burning object in the wheel arch.(Bild: LPD Wien)

Following an arson attack on a Viennese police car at the beginning of the year, a suspect has now been identified. The man is also believed to be responsible for another arson attack at a petrol station. The 25-year-old suffers from a mental illness.

On January 3, an attentive passer-by noticed that a parked police car was on fire in front of the police station in Billrothstraße and immediately raised the alarm. As reported, an unknown person had placed a burning object in the wheel arch.

(Bild: LPD Wien)

DNA led to suspect
In the course of the investigation into serious damage to property, DNA was recovered. This could now be matched to the 25-year-old. The man is already known to the police and is currently in hospital due to his mental illness. It has therefore not yet been possible to interview him.

In any case, the investigators assume that the Austrian citizen is also responsible for a fire at a petrol station in Döbling on January 7. At that time, items of clothing were set alight on a petrol pump, damaging it.