The year that is behind us will be remembered not only for serious criminal acts, but also for a series of unusual and bizarre thefts that regularly filled the columns of black chronicles throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. The thieves, it seems, stole everything they could get their hands on – from beer, perfume and knives, to construction tools and wire fences, to honey, meat and even gambling machines, writes Nezavisne novine.
Five crates of beer and recognition in Ljubuški
One of the most impressive cases was recorded in Ljubuški, where a man from Makarska admitted stealing as many as five cases of beer. The theft took place during the night of November 18, 2025, in a shop in the town of Veljaci near Ljubuški. The police soon learned that a Golf car with Croatian license plates could be connected to this crime, as well as a person with the initials IR (43) from Makarska.
On the same day, police officers found the vehicle and the suspects in the wider area of Ljubuški, after which IR admitted that he had committed the theft. The stolen beer was returned, and the case was processed in accordance with the law.
Mercedes disappeared during a test drive in Mostar
An unusual theft was also recorded in Mostar, where a luxury Mercedes GLC car disappeared during a test drive. A person who introduced himself as “Dr. Adis from Sweden” came to look at the vehicle accompanied by a girl and a child, which instilled confidence in the owner of the car. After they went for a test drive together, the car never returned, and they never managed to contact the “buyer”. “We didn’t even suspect it. He was with the child, he behaved normally and seemed convincing. He just wanted to test the car,” said the owner. According to available information, the suspect allegedly stayed in a rented house in Mostar for six days, but he did not pay for that accommodation either before he disappeared.
The old “flag” and quick police response in Banja Luka
Unlike the luxury Mercedes, a Banja Luka resident was interested in the old Zastava 128. F.Ć. from Banja Luka is suspected of having stolen a car in which the ignition key was located in the early hours of the morning. However, his “ride” did not last long. The police soon stopped him in the Banja Luka area, confiscated the vehicle and returned it to the owner.
Theft of perfumes, knives and voluntary donations
The police in Banja Luka also arrested MM (42) as part of the operation codenamed “Perfume”, on suspicion that he stole perfumes with a total value of around 1,500 KM from several stores. In another case, NP (35) from Banja Luka was also arrested, suspected of breaking into a church in the village of Todorići near Šipovo and breaking into a donation box, from which he stole money.
Similar thefts were also recorded in Prijedor, where a Croatian citizen was arrested on suspicion of stealing a set of knives worth 1,200 KM from a shopping center.
Theft of personal belongings, cards and documents
The police also intervened due to thefts from vehicles parked near a restaurant in Jablanica, where passports, bank cards and suitcases with personal belongings were stolen. During the search of the Ford Transit vehicle, the police found items originating from thefts.
In Doboj, after stealing a wallet with documents and bank cards, MS went one step further – he withdrew money from the stolen card. With the quick reaction of the police, he was identified and arrested.
A similar case was recorded in Banja Luka, where a man was arrested on suspicion of finding a lost wallet and using someone else’s bank card.
Theft of telephones, construction tools and wire fences
A woman with the initials AZ from Vitez was arrested at the Izačić border crossing, based on a warrant issued by the Prijedor Police Department, on suspicion of stealing a mobile phone.
GK from Prnjavorca is suspected of stealing building lots, which he alienated in the period from February to March 2025. The police found and confiscated the stolen items. An almost absurd case was recorded in Odžak: an unknown person removed about 100 meters of wire fence from the yard of the host JS, but left it in the same place for an unknown reason.
Honey, meat and chocolates: “gourmet” thefts
Among the more unusual cases was the theft of honey in Zenica, where VE (35) was arrested on suspicion of stealing three jars of honey from Konzum. The stolen goods were confiscated, and the suspect was detained by the police.
In Prijedor, MG (39) from Oštra Luka is suspected of stealing a vehicle, as well as chocolates and drinks from a store.
Another “gourmet” was arrested in Šipovo, where SZ from Kupres broke into a drying room and stole meat. The police found him the same day, and a certain amount of meat was found and confiscated from him.
Gambling machines in Zenica
Finally, the Zenica police recorded the theft of three gambling machines from a building in Trg Alije Izetbegovića Street. Details on whether the devices were found and whether the suspect was arrested were not released.
Although many of these cases seem almost comical at first glance, the police remind us that these are crimes that are prosecuted in accordance with the law. The year behind us has shown that thieves have no limits when it comes to the “choice” of prey – but that the police do not give up on finding them either.
(TYPE/Source: federalna.ba/Photo: Illustration/Avaz)
