Armed perpetrators rob jeweler in Leonding and escape on the A1

According to the current state of the investigation, the perpetrators used the A1 highway connection to escape toward Lower Austria. According to police, the escape route extended over several sections of the Westautobahn before the vehicle lost visual contact in the heavy holiday traffic.

Highway police officers secured evidence at the scene and collected initial pieces of evidence. A police helicopter was requested for the search from the air, but was unable to locate the fugitives. The use of thermal imaging cameras has also been unsuccessful so far.

Investigations and manhunt

Investigators assume that this was a professionally prepared crime. Possible links to earlier jewelry store burglaries in Upper Austria are being examined. The State Criminal Police Office has taken over the further investigations.

The police have set up a dedicated investigation group and are asking witnesses who have observed suspicious persons or vehicles in the past hours in the Leonding area, on the A1 between Linz and Enns, and in the surrounding communities to come forward.

Police appeal for witnesses

A reward of several thousand euros has been offered for information leading to the apprehension of the perpetrators. The jewelry store remains temporarily closed following the robbery. The criminal police are also relying on tips from the public via the standard hotlines.

As the authorities further reported late in the afternoon, the manhunt has been expanded to the entire Austrian highway network. Forensic specialists examined the building as well as the immediate vicinity of the crime scene to gain further insights into the perpetrators' modus operandi.