Thieves broke into the Inselwirtschaft Ufnau restaurant in Freienbach, SZ, between Sunday night and Monday morning, escaping by boat with a stolen safe containing approximately 13,000 Swiss francs. The Kantonspolizei Schwyz has confirmed an investigation into the burglary is underway, though no suspects have been identified.
The Incident on Lake Zurich
The burglary occurred during the overnight hours when the restaurant was closed to the public. According to restaurateur Michel Péclard, the last staff members departed the island at 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, and the first employees discovered the scene upon their return at 9:00 a.m. Monday.
Péclard reported that the perpetrators likely accessed the site by boat, mirroring the transit method used by staff and guests to reach the island from Pfäffikon, SZ. The thieves reportedly forced open a buffet container, climbed onto a roof, and entered the building through a first-floor window to reach the safe. The empty safe was later recovered; Péclard stated it appeared to have been pried open with a crowbar.
Did You Know? The Inselwirtschaft Ufnau is situated on an island in Lake Zurich and is accessible to the public exclusively via the water, a logistical factor that Péclard noted likely influenced the planning of the crime.
Why the Timing Matters
Péclard described the perpetrators as “professionals” who targeted the location with specific knowledge of its cash flow. The restaurant typically experiences its highest revenue on Fridays and Saturdays, and because banks are closed over the weekend, a significant amount of cash remained on-site by Sunday night.
This incident marks another instance of theft targeting a business owned by Péclard. While his other establishments on the mainland are often frequented by a younger demographic that relies on digital payments, the Ufnau location continues to see a high volume of transactions involving physical cash, making it a more lucrative target for such a crime.
Expert Insight: The logistical complexity of this theft—requiring boat transport and the physical removal of a heavy safe—suggests a high degree of premeditation. For business owners in isolated or water-bound locations, this event highlights a unique security vulnerability where traditional land-based alarm systems and physical barriers may be bypassed by offenders who operate outside of conventional transit routes.
What Happens Next
The Kantonspolizei Schwyz is currently investigating the burglary, though they have not yet provided further details on potential leads. As there is no video surveillance footage of the incident, the investigation may rely heavily on forensic evidence recovered from the scene or potential witness reports.
Péclard has taken to social media to request that anyone with information regarding the incident come forward. It is likely that police will continue to review regional boat traffic patterns during the specified timeframe to determine if any suspicious vessels were spotted near the island.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the thieves access the restaurant?
According to Michel Péclard, the thieves arrived by boat, gained entry to the premises through a first-floor window, and transported the safe away from the island via the water.
How much money was stolen?
The perpetrators made off with approximately 13,000 Swiss francs, according to the restaurateur.
Is there any footage of the crime?
No, there are no recordings from surveillance cameras available to assist with the investigation.
Do you believe that businesses located in isolated, water-accessible areas require a different approach to security protocols compared to mainland establishments?
