Perpetrators on the run

Copper thieves dismantled gutters from church

The parish church of Höll(Bild: Christian Schulter)

There was a brazen theft attempt in southern Burgenland on Wednesday evening: two previously unknown perpetrators dismantled the gutters of the church in Höll (Oberwart district). Because a local resident became aware of what was happening, the men eventually had to flee without any loot. 

Copper thefts occur again and again in Burgenland. This time, two men made off with the church in Höll. They removed the gutters and placed them in the grass next to the church. However, a local resident became suspicious due to the noise and immediately informed the police.

Police launched a manhunt
Five men from the village also set off to check on the church. When they arrived, the two perpetrators immediately took off. They fled on foot into a Kukuruz field. They left their vehicle with Hungarian license plates behind. The police, who had arrived in the meantime, immediately launched a manhunt - supported by a helicopter and service dogs.

Bronze figures seized
However, the manhunt has so far been unsuccessful. The perpetrators probably fled across the nearby border to Hungary. Four bronze figures were also found in their car, which may have been stolen from cemeteries. Information can be obtained from the Großpetersdorf police station on 059/133 12 44. Further investigations are underway.