Smash and Grab is not an American phenom as comforting as it might be to think so. I remember it back in the 70's and 80's elsewhere. It is global. Smash and grab - Wikipedia
This type of break-in or smash 'n grab in Austria is a method that has become particularly popular after the fall of the Iron Curtain.
Some people say we should have raised the fence instead of removing it.
Anyway. It is what it is.
But:
The Westbahnstrasse (~West Railway Street) or otherwise called „Fotomeile“ is the most dangerous and most feared place for lovers of old or used cameras, lenses, accessories and photography lovers.
Either you have to carry a very thick wallet or you blindfold yourself.
Not only was the "Imperial and Royal Teaching and Research Institute for Photography and Reproduction Processes" founded there in 1888, but there are also several second-hand shops. Leica Shop, Jo Geier Mint & Rare, Camera 31, Blende 7 . . .
Article in German:
I don't know enough about "smash and grab" and "smash and grab statistics" to speak on it. That doesn't mean I won't, but not right away. Theft is a constant. Maybe there is more now, maybe it is better reported. It is a shame to see some Philistines break in and run off with very rare and valuable stuff which will probably be fenced for the cheap and forgotten. Unless some very wealthy collector needed some gear. That's always a possibility. Peasants don't rob museums of Van Gogh's either. All we know is that this is a sorrowful event. Let's hope the Vienna cops and Interpol can nail this one down in a hurry.
From what I've read, this was already the fourth break-in. It's hard to imagine that an insurance company would compensate still for this damage or that they wouldn't have insisted on higher security measures long ago.
they have the serial numbers.... it will take time. but things will happen.
To sell some of that stuff, you would have to wait for well known collectors to die, so you could play the "i stole from my boss, how about 20,000$ for it?" routine
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