Warehouse as a crime scene

Loot to order: gang clears the shelves

"This is where the perpetrators got in," explains site manager Mathias D., pointing to the traces of the break-in.(Bild: Christian Schulter)

Every year, professional burglars target warehouse branches in Burgenland. Once again they made rich pickings in Jennersdorf. Investigators are hot on their trail. On the black market, the supply of stolen goods depends on the demand, as the investigation revealed.

Criminals have once again raided the warehouse in Jennersdorf. On Wednesday night, they crept to the back of the market, tore open the blinds of a window and smashed the pane. The burglars built a step out of bricks to make it easy to get in.

Annoyed by the damage
The first room was immediately ransacked. Then the criminals set their sights on the salesroom. They were after branded goods. The main items stolen were chainsaws and scythes, including expensive accessories such as batteries and chains. "The damage amounts to 20,000 euros," laments site manager Mathias D.

Crime scene spied out
The coup was probably planned long in advance. Investigators assume so. "Gangs are after loot that fetches a lot of money on the black market. Highly professional tools from well-known manufacturers are in high demand," says an investigator from the Coordinated Criminal Investigation Service.

Burglaries every year
Connections with the last burglary in the warehouse in Jennersdorf in July 2023 cannot be ruled out. Back then, the perpetrators were after a ride-on lawnmower. The good piece had a value of 9400 euros. Almost exactly 12 months earlier, a lawnmower tractor had disappeared from the warehouse. The perpetrators used a car trailer, which was also stolen and parked nearby, to transport the loot away and hide it in a cornfield.

Serving a prison sentence
They then drove across the border near Neumarkt an der Raab into Hungary. Hours later, they returned in a Renault Scénic and sped back to Hungary. The driver caused an accident at a traffic circle in Körmend. The man, who was just over 20 years old, and his young accomplice were arrested. He was given a prison sentence.

Illegal trade flourishes
Work equipment is currently very popular on the black market again. Warehouses are repeatedly targeted by gangs of thieves. Like the branch in Güssing years ago, when 31 chainsaws including accessories were stolen for more than 25,000 euros. "The illegal trade sometimes even works to order," reports an official on the results of the investigations.