Bratislava
Drug addict apprehended by police twice in one day
A 37 year-old drug addict from the eastern Slovak town of Vranov nad Topľou was arrested by police April 8 after being caught trying to break into a cottage, police said. The man, believed to have visited Bratislava intent on robbing cottages to finance his addiction, was taken to a police station for questioning, and explained that for over 15 years he had been a drug addict and was infected with hepatitis A, B, and C.
After the questioning police let him go. However, he did not stop stealing that day and was later apprehended by police on Špitálska Street after attempting to rob a 70 year old, Cecília G. He hit his victim several times in the head, and dragged her across the street while trying to steal her handbag. The shocked pensioner ended up in a hospital and the criminal back at the police station.
Bratislava
Celebrated British writer pays a visit
Octogenarian British thriller writer Dick Francis arrived in Bratislava April 8 for a three day visit to receive an award from the Slovenský Spisovateľ publishing house as the most translated foreign author in Slovakia.
Francis's books, mixing horse-racing and criminal investigation, have won world-wide acclaim, and he has had 30 titles published in Slovakia, selling more than one million copies of his works. After his arrival the novelist headed straight for the Bratislava Starý Háj hippodrome, to watch local horse races and present prizes to the winning jockeys.
During his visit the writer signed books in stores in both the capital and Nitra, and promoted his latest book - Na márne kúsky (Smashed to Pieces).
Košice
Two World War II grenades defused
Policemen from Čečejovce, a village near Košice, found a grenade April 8 near a village farm and a mine near a road connecting Veľké Kapušany and Kráľovský Chlmec Michalovce believed to date from World War II. Both munitions were safely defused by bomb disposal experts, who said they were used to finding similar war munitions in the area.
According to Košice regional police spokeswoman Jarmila Petrová, a similar case was dealt with the same day by the Michalovce regional police.
Liptovský Hrádok
Thief steals 30 motor and electric chain saws
An unidentified thief, whom police presume to be a lumberjack, stole 30 motorised and electric chainsaws from a shop in Liptovský Hrádok April 9, adding axes and small hand tools to his booty, police said. The owner of the shop said total damage was about 600,000 Slovak crowns ($12,200).
Humenné
Forest burnt down near Kamienka village
Police still do not know the cause of a fire started April 8 in the Čierna hora forest near the eastern Slovak village of Kamienka. The fire ravaged 12.5 hectares of forest land and singed the border areas of another nearby forest. According to Prešov regional police, the estimated damage was 600,000 Slovak crowns ($12,200).
Compiled by Martina Pisárová and Ed Holt from SITA and TASR
