High profile daylight robbery using a sledgehammer in Netherlands art fair
text_fieldsNetherlands: One of the world's leading art fairs was robbed in the Netherlands. Four well-dressed robbers were seen smashing a display case using a sledgehammer.
The European Fine Art Fair (TEFAF) in the Dutch city of Maastricht is considered to be the world's preeminent organization for fine art, antiques, and design. It gives international dealers the platform to present museum-quality works of all eras and genres of collectors and connoisseurs.
A video released on social media showed four posh-looking suspects threatening people using handguns. An apparent disguise of flat caps and glasses was used by the robbers. Pictures also showed shattered glass. In another picture. two men were showing weapons to a bystander who tried to intervene.
The video on Twitter showed a group of four men standing in front of a display. When one of them starts repeatedly hitting the glass using a sledgehammer, one visitor tries to stop them by picking up a flower vase. When the robbers threatened him with firearms, he quickly put it back.
People in the vicinity are seen running. An elderly man is seen sitting in shock, unable to move right in front of the display that is being attacked. The robbery seems to last only seconds and it is not clear from the video that the thugs got what they came for.
Most of the displays at the Maastricht exhibition feature fine art. But some displays contain exquisite jewels including diamonds. The targeted display had items from a London jeweller. Police said they had arrested two people and were searching for the others, reported AFP.
Limburg province police tweeted that the police are investigating a possible armed robbery of the TEFAF in Maastricht. Four suspects are believed to be involved. They are now searched for by multiple units.
No one was injured in the incident and visitors were quickly evacuated.