"Fully confessed"

Garbage on the A9: nine young suspects charged

720 liters of household waste were lying on the A9 near Lang in the direction of Spielfeld.(Bild: LPD Stmk)

In November, unknown persons dumped 720 (!) liters of household waste from a freeway bridge onto the A9 in Styria. The police have now tracked down nine suspects aged between 17 and 23. They are believed to be responsible for a whole series of offenses.

It was dark and foggy when someone suddenly dumped 720 liters of household waste, mainly plastic and cat food cans, on a southbound lane of the A9 motorway on 10 November 2024. The police classified the incident as a public nuisance and began a meticulous investigation.

Suspects caught
Highway police officers and officers from Leibnitz police station have now been able to track down a group of nine suspects. However, they could be responsible for many more crimes.

(Bild: LPD Stmk)

14 crimes, thousands of euros in damage
The nine suspects are between 17 and 23 years old and from the Leibnitz district. They could be responsible for a total of 14 crimes: "Between May 2024 and January 2025, the Leibnitz residents allegedly drilled open four vehicle tanks and stole several hundred liters of fuel. They are said to have stolen tires, rims and body parts from three parked vehicles," the police report. 

A moped, a motocross, license plates and accessories have also disappeared, some of which the gang is said to have broken into. They also punctured a tire. Some of the young men have "fully confessed" according to the police - they have been charged.