Romanian couple arrested for nursing home thefts in Austria

A Romanian pair – a 29‑year‑old woman and a 38‑year‑old man – were arrested after a police investigation linked them to a series of robberies in nursing and care homes across Styria and Lower Austria. Starting on 24 April, the duo entered facilities in Obersteiermark, Hartberg‑Fürstenfeld, Südoststeiermark and the Baden district, targeting residents aged 82 to 95, many of whom suffered dementia and were confined to wheelchairs. They stole jewelry, including a gold necklace and a diamond ring, and cash, and in some cases ripped necklaces from victims' throats. An international search prompted by a tip from Germany led to their capture on 11 June in the Baden district of Lower Austria, where the seized items were recovered. The woman confessed, while the man refused to speak. Authorities continue to probe for additional locations and have asked relatives of potential victims to contact the Landeskriminalamt Steiermark.

The investigation was coordinated by the Landeskriminalamt Steiermark, which took over the case after the initial theft reports and the brutal nature of the assaults. The suspects have been transferred to the Justizanstalt Leoben pending further legal proceedings.