Vienna police have uncovered a suspected handbag robbery attempt and a failed shop burglary, detaining two women in connection with both cases. On 14 October 2026, a woman in Vienna’s 11th district was attacked from behind. A suspect allegedly tried to snatch her handbag, but the victim held on tightly and fell. The woman shouted for help, drawing passers-by who rushed to assist. Seeing this, the suspect fled. A second incident followed on 7 October 2026 at a shop in the Mariahilfer Straße area. There, a suspect allegedly attempted to break the shop window using a wheel nut wrench, but the attempt failed. Investigators from the State Criminal Police Office in Vienna said the victim of the 14 October attack had previously been observed being followed by the same two women after she withdrew cash at a bank branch. Police then carried out intensive searches and identified both suspects, aged 24 and 25. Police linked the pair to the attempted burglary at the shop as well. Both women were arrested on outstanding detention orders issued by the public prosecutor’s office in Vienna. The 25-year-old, identified by police as the immediate perpetrator in both cases, fully admitted the allegations and was taken into custody in a prison. The 24-year-old refused to make a statement and was released after her temporary arrest.