Crime
The Culprits in a Brazen Jewelry Heist at TEFAF Maastricht Remain at Large After Dutch Police Release Two Suspects Without Charges
Nobody else has yet been arrested in connection to the heist, but the investigation continues.
Dutch police have released two Belgian men who were arrested shortly after four armed suspects broke into TEFAF Maastricht on Tuesday morning and smashed a display case belonging to jewelry dealer Symbolic and Chase, and made off with fine jewels.
The men, aged 22 and 26, had been detained overnight but were cleared yesterday of any wrongdoing. Sharing the news of their release on Twitter, the Limburg Police explained that the pair “showed such suspicious behavior that at the time there was sufficient reason to arrest them.”
No other arrests have so far been made in relation to the heist, which was filmed by one visitor, Jos Stassen, and posted on Twitter by a journalist for NOS. In the video, the smartly dressed thieves appear to threaten employees and nearby exhibitors with guns while using a mallet to smash the glass case. Authorities have not yet confirmed exactly which items were stolen.
The fair was temporarily evacuated immediately after the incident, which occurred at 11:30 a.m. local time, and TEFAF released a statement saying: “The fair’s security team worked quickly to disarm an offender and Dutch police were on site within minutes. Nobody was injured during the incident.”
TEFAF Maastricht ends today.
Follow Artnet News on Facebook:
Want to stay ahead of the art world? Subscribe to our newsletter to get the breaking news, eye-opening interviews, and incisive critical takes that drive the conversation forward.
Related Articles
-
