In a chilling turn of events, Rolf Wegmüller, a 59-year-old former municipal councilman from Zurich, Switzerland, found himself the victim of a bizarre kidnapping and extortion plot targeting his two beloved Bolonka dogs. This shocking ordeal took place in Szczecin, Poland, where Wegmüller was lured into a scheme orchestrated by a Norwegian man (referred to as K) and a Polish accomplice.
A Heartbreaking Ransom Demand
The plot began when Wegmüller, a man deeply attached to his dogs, was deceived by K, who used emotional manipulation to carry out the dognapping. The suspects stole Wegmüller’s dogs and demanded a staggering 1 million Swiss francs as ransom, knowing how much he valued his pets.
“If I’d had a million francs at home, I would have handed over the money immediately,” Wegmüller told Swiss newspaper 20 Minuten, expressing his deep distress.
As the situation unfolded, the ransom was eventually reduced to a quarter of the original demand, but Wegmüller insisted on seeing proof of life for his pets. Initially, the kidnappers threatened to send the dogs’ heads as evidence. However, they later relented and provided a photo of the dogs, taken in a wooded area near the Polish border.
A Lucky Break and the Police’s Swift Action
This crucial photograph led Polish authorities to launch an investigation, which ultimately led them to Szczecin, where the suspects were arrested. The dogs were safely recovered and placed into animal care. Wegmüller, who had traveled to Poland in desperation, was overjoyed to be reunited with his fur babies.
The Polish police acted swiftly, and K was apprehended at the airport before he could flee. The Polish accomplice now faces up to 10 years in prison, while K, the Norwegian, faces around 5 years for his involvement in the plot.
A Reunited Family
While Wegmüller is deeply affected by the trauma of the kidnapping, he is grateful to have his pets back. “The two of them are my everything. I can’t live without them,” he shared. He also expressed his thanks to the Polish police for their exceptional efforts, calling their work the best job in the world.
Though the experience has left him scarred, Wegmüller’s reunion with his dogs marks the end of a harrowing chapter, where both lucky stars and the swift intervention of the Polish police saved the day.