Severe punishment in Linz

Lost balaclava convicts burglars

They got a meagre reward, but a hefty fine. Two burglars who were recruited to break into the Romantikhotel Guglwald will spend a long time behind bars. After all, they were fined handsomely. And they were targeted by the investigators due to "bad luck" - a balaclava had been forgotten.

"We should come on a trip," said the 31-year-old Slovakian, who had to answer to the Linz judge with his Czech friend (32) for the theft of a 205-kilogram safe from the well-known Romantikhotel Guglwald in Vorderweißenbach. The unemployed and indebted friends were given gloves and balaclavas for the outing, which had been "organized" by two other Czechs who had also been caught in the meantime.

Found in prison
One such mask was left behind at the scene of the crime and DNA traces on it led to the 31-year-old, who had a criminal record in the Czech Republic - where he was serving a prison sentence for driving without a license and admitted everything.

Meager reward, severe punishment
Of the more than 50,000 euros in loot, the two accused henchmen received 430 euros each; according to the second defendant, further burglaries were planned.

Both defendants received additional sentences in the Czech Republic. The 31-year-old received ten months and the 32-year-old, who had a criminal record, 18 months unconditional imprisonment. "This is criminal tourism and not a minor burglary," said the judge in her ruling.