39-year-old suspected of stealing batteries from more than 40 e-bikes in Vorarlberg

After consultation with the public prosecutor's office, the accused will be reported while at liberty. This means that upon completion of the police investigation, he will be reported to the public prosecutor's office without the authorities currently having requested pretrial detention.

Regarding the value of the stolen batteries and the suspect's modus operandi — such as whether he personally removed the batteries from the bikes or took already removed batteries — police initially provided no further details.

Appeal to possible additional victims

The authorities are asking additional victims to contact a police station. Anyone who has not yet filed a report but is also missing a battery in the affected communities could help clarify the crimes.

Background: Batteries as sought-after loot

The case fits into a growing number of thefts in recent years that specifically target e-bike batteries. The batteries are expensive as spare parts and are therefore in demand on a gray market, as investigators from other federal states report.

For victims, the loss is often doubly frustrating: in addition to the battery, the bike is usually temporarily unusable, and high-quality batteries can hardly be used further without the original bicycle. Insurances often only cover the damage under certain conditions.

Police announced that they would continue the investigations and also examine possible links to other battery thefts in the Lake Constance region. When and whether an indictment will be filed depends on the outcome of the public prosecutor's investigation.