Fugitive in Croatia allegedly stole child's bike during escape; grandmother says boy was 'petrified'

A bizarre incident unfolded in Velika Gorica, Croatia, where a fugitive on the run from the County Court allegedly commandeered a 7-year-old boy's bicycle during his escape. The 47-year-old suspect, who had fled police custody, was later apprehended in a Zagreb cafe.

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It was open, he entered and ran away with the bicycle. He probably wanted to go to the staircase, saw a child's bicycle, took it and left.

The boy's grandmother, Ana, recounted the unsettling event, explaining that she had briefly left the child's bicycle outside her apartment while bringing in groceries. She believes the fugitive seized the opportunity during that short window. "It was open, he entered and ran away with the bicycle. He probably wanted to go to the staircase, saw a child's bicycle, took it and left," she told RTL Danas, pointing to the spot where the bike had been.

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I ask the children, there were about five or six of them. And they say that an old man got on the bicycle. He has a tail and a beard and they show how he rides. He probably still had handcuffs on.

Children playing nearby witnessed the peculiar theft. They described seeing an older man with a beard riding the bike in an unusual manner, possibly still wearing handcuffs. The grandmother and children immediately reported the theft to patrolling police officers.

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The child is in shock, and I am too in the end because I barely bought it, the pension is small, the child was delighted, only for everything to fall apart.

Hours later, police located and arrested the fugitive in Zagreb. While a bicycle was found in his possession, authorities are still confirming if it is the same one stolen from the young boy. The child, who had received the bicycle as a birthday gift just two months prior, was reportedly left traumatized by the incident, with his grandmother noting he was "petrified" and fearful after learning who had taken his prized possession.

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Last night he came, grandma close the window, lock the water, out of fear, he simply turned to stone.