Taxi robbery Vienna-Floridsdorf: Cobra arrests 19-year-old

Police confirmed on Tuesday to several Viennese dailies that the arrest had taken place on Monday evening. The 19-year-old was transferred to a correctional facility after the immediate measures were completed. No further details were initially provided on the amount of cash stolen or on the exact sequence of events during the night of the crime.

Cobra operation on Monday evening

„Der Mann wurde an seiner Wohnadresse festgenommen. Er befindet sich in Haft", sagte Polizeisprecherin Julia Schick. The Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office is reportedly examining whether the suspect may also be considered in connection with other similar offences in the city area.

Investigators secured traces at the crime scene over the past several days and evaluated video recordings. The results obtained so far had made it possible to identify and locate the suspect, it was said from the Robbery Investigation Division. Further investigations, in particular regarding possible accomplices, are ongoing.

According to police, the Cobra operation proceeded without any injuries. Local residents had previously reported a large-scale police deployment in the municipal housing block. Residents were asked to remain in their apartments during the arrest.

Investigations and possible links

The Großfeldsiedlung in Vienna's 21st municipal district is a densely built residential area with several municipal housing blocks. Taxi rides there are part of everyday life in Vienna; robberies of drivers are recorded separately by police and handled by the Robbery Investigation Division.

Following the arrest, the 19-year-old will be transferred to the Vienna-Josefstadt correctional facility on the instructions of the Vienna Public Prosecutor's Office. A date for the first interrogation and any detention review hearing was not initially announced.

Police stressed that the investigations had not yet been concluded. Tips from the public, particularly from possible additional victims or witnesses, would continue to be accepted.

Should the suspicion be substantiated, the accused faces criminal proceedings for aggravated robbery. The responsible authority stated that it is following up on indications of possible links to other reported taxi robbery offences in Vienna.

Appeal to witnesses

Vienna Police also announced that the presence in the Großfeldsiedlung would be maintained for the time being. This is intended to strengthen residents' sense of security and to prevent possible copycat offences.

Finally, the investigators pointed to the usefulness of prompt witness tips. Anyone who noticed anything unusual on Oswald-Redlich-Straße during the night of the crime is asked to contact the State Criminal Office's Northern Branch or any police station.