In Hart near Graz

Courageous building yard employees prevented burglary

The two employees caught the burglars in the act at this window.(Bild: Gemeinde Hart bei Graz)

Four Hungarian burglars (25, 26, 31 and 36) were caught red-handed in Hart bei Graz on Tuesday. Two attentive municipal employees noticed them as they tried to climb out of the window of a detached house and put them to flight. In the course of a manhunt, the police were able to arrest the gang.

On Tuesday afternoon, two building yard workers from the municipality of Hart bei Graz showed plenty of courage. Berhard Medved and Andreas Kobald were delivering newspapers shortly before 2 p.m. when they noticed a suspicious car in the driveway of a detached house. On closer inspection, they realized that a person was trying to leave the house through an open window.

Heavily pregnant woman fell
The two immediately rushed to the house, which put the band of burglars to flight. The suspects ran off in different directions, causing a heavily pregnant woman in the gang to fall. The building yard employees immediately set the rescue chain in motion and alerted the police. A manhunt including a police dog patrol led to the arrest of four suspects.

The employees and the grateful residents.(Bild: Gemeinde Hart bei Graz)

Part of the loot seized
As it turned out later, the burglars had entered the house via a tilted toilet window. The two men (31 and 36) and two women (25 and 26) had got hold of cash and jewelry worth several thousand euros. Some of the loot was recovered. The gang confessed and were taken to Graz-Jakomini prison. The four Hungarian nationals are now also being investigated for further burglaries.

The courage of the municipal employees was rewarded with great gratitude. "We are glad that the employees were so quick and helped us. Also big thanks to the police for clearing things up so quickly," said the residents. Mayor Jakob Frey (Bürgerliste Lebenswertes Hart bei Graz) also praised the "attentive and swift action".