What to do if you leave the compartment for two minutes and return to find your wallet already in someone else's hands? This is exactly the situation a 25-year-old passenger from Nigeria faced while traveling on express Ex 609 Tatran from Bratislava to Košice on July 25, 2024. The story ended well, but because of it, the railway was delayed for 67 minutes, reports Košicak.sk.
The man went to the restroom, leaving his belongings in the compartment. When he returned, he noticed two boys in the corridor, one of whom had just come out of his compartment holding the wallet. The boy ran away and locked himself in another restroom. The passenger called the conductor, who called the police. After some time, the boy opened the door and returned the stolen item. The victim immediately blocked his bank cards—a correct reflex in such a situation.
The police met the train at Poprad-Tatry station. The suspects were two minors aged 11 and 13, returning home to Richnava. Due to the children's age, the conversation with them took place with the participation of a social care worker from Poprad. The police classified the incident only as a priestupok proti majetku (minor offense against property), not a criminal crime, Cas.sk clarifies. After formalities, the train continued with a one-hour delay.
For us, this story is a reminder of simple things while traveling. The Bratislava—Košice route is one of the most popular among Ukrainians, and trains are full during the summer season.
- Do not leave your wallet, phone, and documents unattended in the compartment, even if you step out "literally for a minute."
- If theft has already occurred, immediately contact the conductor and call your bank to block your cards.
- You can also call the police yourself; emergency numbers in Slovakia are collected in our list of important phone numbers.
And one more nuance worth knowing: minors in Slovakia usually do not bear criminal responsibility for such offenses; the case is handled by social services. So, do not expect strict punishment for young thieves, but do rely on your own vigilance.
