Injured during escape

Fire department “rescues” burglars from the roof of a residential building

The fire department had to be called in to help with the sensational police operation.(Bild: Lukas Derkits / Feuerwehr Wiener Neudorf)

From the cellar to the rooftops and finally to prison: this is how an extremely spectacular escape of two criminals in Wiener Neudorf in the district of Mödling (Lower Austria) can be briefly summarized, in which the fire department also played a decisive role.

The two Slovakians (41, 43) were first caught by a resident while searching a cellar compartment. The duo immediately gave chase and fled via balconies onto the roofs of the residential complex. The older man was located there by the air police. He had injured himself while climbing and was brought down with the fire department's turntable ladder.

A short time later, the 41-year-old was also handcuffed in the stairwell. The perpetrator's vehicle was also found. It had stolen license plates.

The injured thief was "rescued" with the turntable ladder.(Bild: Lukas Derkits / Feuerwehr Wiener Neudorf)

Woman pushed aside
The men are believed to be responsible for numerous cellar break-ins. They stole bicycles, e-scooters and tools worth more than 20,000 euros. Some of the loot was seized in the 41-year-old's car, which was parked in Vienna. They are also accused of coercion: They are said to have entered an apartment via an open balcony door during their escape and pushed a woman there to one side. However, the woman remained unharmed.

The two suspects partially confessed during questioning. They are being held in Wiener Neustadt prison.