Perpetrators are too young

Trafik robbery: charges only against the perpetrators

This tobacconist's was robbed in Salzburg on October 10.(Bild: Markus Tschepp)

The "Krone" reported on the robbery of a tobacconist's on October 10 in Salzburg-Liefering. Now the public prosecutor's office has brought charges: Not against the two main perpetrators, however, but only against one contributory offender - an Austrian (18) with six previous convictions.

The reason why only one has to stand trial: The two main perpetrators are too young to be punished under our penal code - in legal jargon, this is called being of criminal age. According to the indictment, however, the 18-year-old is said to have acted as a "lookout" when the two youths - masked and armed with a kitchen knife - robbed the tobacconist. The three then took a trip to Vienna by train - and squandered the loot there. Thanks to footage from a surveillance camera and information from witnesses, the police were able to track all three down.

The 18-year-old, who has already been on trial for robbery, is currently in custody. He is also alleged to have used his grandfather's work vehicle without permission at the beginning of September and wrecked it in the process.