Vienna police arrested several youths after they were caught during break-ins at five business premises in the city on 18 October 2026. Officers from the Lower Austria? Landeskriminalamtes Wien, Außenstelle Zentrum West, were investigating theft offences in the Greater Vienna area between September 2026 and mid-October 2026, targeting multiple juveniles and a child aged under criminal responsibility suspected of repeated burglaries. Four suspects were taken into custody on the spot after investigators entered five business locations as the break-ins were happening. The group included three 15-year-olds and a 13-year-old. Police later identified two additional suspects, both 16-year-olds, during further investigations. In questioning, the juveniles and the child under criminal responsibility largely admitted the allegations. Based on the current findings, investigators attribute around 46 offences to the suspects. Police also believe the group may be responsible for further crimes that are not yet fully clarified, including possible break-ins in the Nordbahnviertel area. The investigation is continuing, with further work focused on identifying additional crime scenes and possible links between incidents. Vienna police said they have intensified measures against youth crime since March 2024, with regular focus operations and emphasis on repeat and high-intensity offenders, emerging series and conspicuous groups in public spaces. The response includes police reports and criminal investigations, interviews described as Normverdeutlichungsgespräche, interventions for multiple offenders, forensic measures, and cooperation with schools and social services. The case is still under investigation.