Jewels stolen from a prestigious art fair in the Netherlands | VIDEO

In broad daylight, a group of criminals assaulted this Tuesday in the Netherlands a prestigious art fair in the city of Maastricht. A video that recorded the event shows how the men use a sledgehammer to smash a display case.

Shortly after, police said they had arrested two people and closed streets around the fair and one of the city’s main tunnels.

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“Police are investigating a possible armed robbery at the TEFAF [la Feria Europea de Bellas Artes] in Maastricht. Four suspects are believed to be involved. Several units are currently looking for them.”the police of the province of Limburgthe region of the country that includes Maastricht.

He also released the images showing the moment when the men break the window with a sledgehammer. According to the Dutch media, the display case contained items from a London jeweller.

an important fair

Maastricht develops from June 24 to 30, the 35th edition of its acclaimed fair. On this occasion there are 240 gallery owners belonging to more than 20 countries and representing sectors as diverse as design or antique dealers. The fair came to attract 70,000 visitors in previous editions.

According to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, the robbed premises correspond to the london jewelery, Symbolic & Chasand, that offered antique jewelry. The assault occurred while there were visitors in the vicinity. At least one of the two who attacked the display case used a firearm.

The Dutch police reported that after the fact they were arrested a 22-year-old and a 26-year-old, both from Belgium. The two subjects were driving a gray car with license plates from that country. However, his possible involvement with the event “is still under investigation.” They added that “other suspects are still being investigated.”

The authorities confirmed that the criminals managed to get hold of some jewelry, although they did not provide specific details about the stolen objects.

operational

Once the robbery was registered, the security forces closed the highway and the nearest tunnel, deployed a police helicopter, as well as sniffer dogs.

In addition, an exhaustive review of the security cameras of the complex, which hosts the art fair from Friday. A statement was also taken from witnesses.

Other images circulating of the robbery show how one of the thieves hits the glass with the mallet, takes a handful of items, puts them in a bag and then runs away, accompanied by three other accomplices. They acted openly.

From the first hours of the fact, it remains as a unknown how it was possible for the subjects to enter with a large mallet to the event, taking into account that there are strong security measures at the entrance, which includes the check of bags and personal items.

“TEFAF has robust procedures in the event of a security breach. These were followed precisely and all visitors, exhibitors and staff were safely evacuated. The fair has already reopened its doors”, they indicated from the organization of the fair.

The MECC, the complex in which the fair takes place, was closed for a few hours after an evacuation ordered for security reasons. However, the site was reopened soon after. “The Dutch police arrived at the scene after a few minutes, no one was injured,” they reported.

With information from AFP

Source: Elcomercio

Ronald Payne

I, Ronald Payne, am a journalist and author who dedicated his life to telling the stories that need to be said. I have over 7 years of experience as a reporter and editor, covering everything from politics to business to crime.