Police dog Ueli helps catch suspects in garage break-in in Rapperswil-Jona

On the night of Friday to Saturday, March 7, 2026, a car garage was broken into in the Swiss municipality of Rapperswil-Jona in the canton of St. Gallen. Two perpetrators attempted to steal car parts. The property owner was alerted by the security system and immediately notified the police. A patrol, which included a service dog named Ueli, was dispatched to the scene. The animal played a key role in chasing and locating one of the suspects, who was trying to hide in the area. With its help, a 26-year-old man was arrested immediately after the incident. His accomplice, a 27-year-old man, initially managed to escape from the crime scene. However, police conducting further searches arrested him a short time later near the break-in site. Both detainees are citizens of Kosovo, permanently residing in Switzerland. They are suspected of committing aggravated theft. Preliminary estimated material losses amount to several thousand Swiss francs. Officers secured the scene and conducted an inspection, collecting evidence relevant to the investigation. The canton of St. Gallen, located in eastern Switzerland, borders Liechtenstein, Austria, and Germany. Its capital is the city of St. Gallen, known for its historic cathedral and abbey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region has a developed industrial and service sector and is an important transport hub. Rapperswil-Jona is a municipality in this canton, located on Lake Zurich, popular with tourists for its castle and old town.The District Prosecutor's Office in St. Gallen has taken over the case and is assessing the collected evidence. A decision regarding pressing charges and filing an indictment will be made in the coming days. The detained men were questioned and, in accordance with Swiss procedures, preliminary charges were brought against them. The case is an example of efficient cooperation between property alarm systems and law enforcement. The use of a police dog proved extremely effective in chasing fleeing perpetrators, especially under nighttime conditions. Swiss police regularly use service dogs in various types of interventions, from searching for missing persons to apprehending dangerous criminals. The owner of the burgled garage provided detailed testimony, which will help reconstruct the course of events. Local media, including "20 Minuten," "SWI swissinfo.ch," and "Tages Anzeiger," reported on the incident, highlighting the role of the dog Ueli. The event attracted interest from residents, who appreciated the rapid response of the authorities. According to current findings, the case does not have a broader context of organized criminal activity and is treated as an isolated incident. Police appeal to citizens for vigilance and proper securing of property, especially outbuildings and garages, which are often targets of break-ins. Further procedural steps will depend on the results of the investigation conducted by the prosecutor's office.