Suspect fled

Police officer arrested car thief (21) at the toilet

After a 21-year-old stole a car in a housing estate in the Strassgang district of Graz on Tuesday, an off-duty police officer picked up his trail shortly afterwards and caught him in the toilet of a fast food restaurant.

Not a good idea to leave your own car unlocked in front of the house and also leave the car keys and the remote control for the entrance gate inside. A 21-year-old took advantage of this on Tuesday: He got into the car and sped off. The next morning, the owner noticed the theft and reported it to the Kärntnerstraße police.

Police officer took up pursuit
A police officer, who was on his way home after night duty, spotted the stolen car a few hours later, which the suspect was driving on the street. The officer gave chase and informed his colleagues. At the Kärntnerstraße/Straßganger Straße junction, the 21-year-old got out of the car and fled on foot. But he was too slow and the police officer kept on his heels. He locked himself in the toilet of a fast-food restaurant in the hope that he had found a safe place to hide. But he was wrong. Shortly afterwards, the toilet door opened and the handcuffs clicked.

As it turned out, the young man could have been involved in further car thefts. He was taken to Graz-Jakomini prison and further investigations are underway.