Thwarted Theft at Bakery in Warsaw

17 April 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Police in Warsaw arrested two men after a thwarted theft at bakery. The suspects face up to 10 years under Polish law.

Police in Warsaw made a swift arrest after a thwarted theft at bakery near Chodkowska Street. Officers detained two Georgian nationals who tried to break into a parked car while the owner shopped.

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thwarted theft at bakery: what happened

The incident happened outside a neighborhood bakery. The car owner parked a Volkswagen Passat and went inside. Consequently, two men approached the vehicle. One stood by the entrance and watched the baker and shoppers. In addition, his partner entered the passenger side. He searched bags and compartments for valuables. However, undercover officers from the Patrol and Reconnaissance Unit watched the scene. They moved in quickly and arrested the man inside the car. Moreover, they chased and caught the lookout after a short pursuit. During a search the police found tools. These tools can bypass electronic car locks. Therefore, investigators treated the event as an attempted coordinated burglary.

Investigation, charges and custody

The local investigative unit gathered witness statements and evidence. Consequently, the prosecutor charged both men with attempted car burglary. The district court in Wola granted three months of pre-trial detention. The prosecutor argued that detention could prevent flight and tampering with evidence. In addition, Polish criminal law punishes such crimes with one to ten years in prison. However, the court must still confirm the evidence at trial. The police and prosecutor will continue the inquiry.

Why this matters for expats

Crimes like this matter for residents and visitors alike. Firstly, opportunistic thefts often target parked cars. Secondly, many expats keep passports and electronics in their cars. Therefore, this case shows how quickly things can go wrong. Moreover, the suspects were foreign nationals. That fact can complicate matters. For example, prosecutors may request detention to ensure suspects remain available. In addition, embassy contact and consular access often matter in such cases. However, police in Poland typically follow standard procedures. They will inform a detainee of rights and let consular staff visit upon request.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: Keep valuables out of sight in parked cars. If police detain someone you know, call the embassy and request a translator. Report all theft attempts to the police via 112 or at your local komisariat. In Poland a “mandat” means a fine, “ZUS” is the social insurance office, “NFZ” runs public healthcare, and “PESEL” is the national ID number used in many official processes.

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