SUV rams juweller’s shop in Vienna city centre
Thieves make off with jewellery worth millions of euros
In the early hours of 28 October, the VON KÖCK jewellery store in Vienna’s city centre, on Graben, was targeted in a brazen burglary. Unknown perpetrators drove a Lexus SUV into the shopfront, forced their way inside and stole jewellery. They then fled the scene, leaving the damaged vehicle behind.
According to initial findings, the incident took place at around 4:20 a.m. The perpetrators used the vehicle as a battering ram to break through the reinforced glass façade. After smashing the display windows, they took the jewellery and escaped. According to Austrian newspaper «Heute», several individuals may have been involved in the burglary, acting in a coordinated manner.
The Vienna State Criminal Police Office has taken over the investigation. Officers seized the vehicle and are examining, among other evidence, surveillance footage from the store and surrounding streets. The suspects have not yet been apprehended.
The break-in caused significant damage to the store. Felix Köck, owner and managing director of the jewellery business, told «Heute» that he received a call from the police at around 4:30 a.m. At first, he did not believe the news, as there had been false alarms in the past. However, he explained, receiving a call from the police made the situation feel very different.
When he arrived at the scene, he found the façade destroyed and jewellery scattered throughout the premises. Speaking to «Heute», he estimated the damage to be in the seven-figure range in euros, amounting to at least one million euros. The stolen items included unique pieces set with precious stones, which would be difficult to resell without the appropriate certificates of authenticity.
The loss of the handmade jewellery was particularly painful for the owner, as a significant part of the store’s collection consists of one-of-a-kind pieces that cannot be reproduced. Köck also called for tighter security measures in Vienna’s city centre. In particular, he advocated installing protective bollards in front of the store to prevent similar vehicle-assisted attacks in the future.
Despite the extensive damage, the jewellery business plans to resume normal operations. Following the burglary, the entrance was temporarily secured with a wooden structure, and customers are now being welcomed through alternative entrances to the premises on the upper floors. The owner hopes to have the main entrance restored before the start of the Christmas shopping season.
About the jewellery store
VON KÖCK is a family-run jewellery business in the heart of Vienna, located on Graben, near the Plague Column, one of the Austrian capital’s best-known landmarks. The company is run by Felix Köck and Nattaya Englinger Köck, representing the second generation of the family business. Its range includes jewellery, particularly distinctive handmade creations. The store is known for its high-end pieces in the premium jewellery segment.
Photo: Instagram @vonkoeck
