Gold chain robberies in Graz: Police searching for additional victims

Officers are pursuing the suspicion that the perpetrators deliberately snatch pieces of jewelry in public spaces. Such robbery offenses, in which necklaces are pulled from victims' necks, are commonly summarized in investigative terminology as "Goldketten-Raub." Police do not rule out the possibility that there are other, previously unreported incidents in the city.

According to police, the key question for the investigation is whether there are additional victims. Anyone who has observed or experienced something similar in the area of Schrödingerstraße or in other parts of Graz is asked, according to the Graz City Police Command, to contact the investigators. Observations of suspicious persons or vehicles could also be relevant to the search.

Situation on Schrödingerstraße

Schrödingerstraße is located in the Lend district, an inner-city Graz neighborhood with dense residential buildings and heavy foot traffic. According to security authorities, incidents of this kind frequently affect older or physically vulnerable persons spending time outdoors. Police recommend that jewelry not be worn visibly in public spaces wherever possible.

The reporting on the incident was picked up, among others, by TV Live-Stream OE24 and by Krone Multimedia (KMM). Police disseminated the appeal through multiple channels in order to reach as broad a public as possible. The criminal investigation department is now evaluating the incoming information and assigning it to ongoing investigative proceedings.

The Graz police emphasize that even the report of small observations can be decisive for solving such a robbery offense. Even if those affected are unsure whether an observed incident is connected to the current search, they should contact the hotline, according to the City Police Command. Investigators would also follow up on anonymous tips.

Investigations and safety advice

Alongside the search for additional victims, criminal-technical and investigative-tactical measures are also underway, according to the Graz City Police Command. These include, according to police, the evaluation of recordings from public spaces as well as interviews with local residents. The aim is to quickly identify the perpetrators and prevent further crimes.

The authorities are asking that the emergency number 133 be dialed if a similar incident is currently being observed. For the case already reported on Schrödingerstraße and any possible further offenses, the hotline 059133 65 3333 of the criminal investigation department serves as the central point of contact. The investigations are ongoing, and police say they will provide updates on progress in due course.