Amsterdam – On May 9 and 16, the police arrested five young Amsterdammers suspected of involvement in several (attempted) street robberies in Amsterdam South. The suspects are between 14 and 16 years old.
In total, the suspects are associated with no fewer than thirteen criminal offenses committed from February to early May. They are also suspected of assault, theft and blackmail/extortion. The underage suspects also made underage victims. Their victims were forced to hand over personal property and money under threat and violence.
The five did not operate together, but in groups of two and three. For the time being, it does not seem that the two and the trio know each other.
The trio
On Thursday, May 4, a first report will be received from a young man who is said to have been assaulted on Van Baerlestraat after he had prevented him from being robbed. A few days later, another three reports of street robbery, assault and extortion that took place in the same area. The police have bundled the reports and launched an investigation.
The research team of the South-Buitenveldert base team soon found three suspects through camera images in the vicinity. The descriptions of the young men on the images match what the victims say and the investigation then focuses on identifying this trio.
The identity of the suspects is established after a few days by effective detective work by the investigative team and the public prosecutor asks for permission to arrest them in the act. The officer grants this and the three Amsterdammers, aged 14, 15 and 16, will be arrested on Tuesday 16 May.
The pair
The group consisting of two young Amsterdammers (14 and 15 years old) is held responsible for nine cases committed between mid-February and mid-April 2023. However, this pair is less centered (several parts of Zuid and in Amstelveen) and can be explained in different ways. work is done than the trio. Among other things, the two committed a few thefts after they made an appointment via the internet for the so-called purchase of a telephone.
But also in all these cases a link to the suspects was established relatively quickly. An investigation has been started and the base team has worked closely with the South District Criminal Investigation Department. After intensive investigation, the police were able to arrest these two young men without red-handed on Tuesday 9 May by order of the public prosecutor.
Follow-up process
In view of the young age of the suspects, four of them have been released under special suspensive conditions. For now, the foursome has been banned from locations and must adhere to a curfew. The fifth suspect is still in custody. The cases have yet to be dealt with under criminal law. In addition, the police, with the help of various partners, are looking at how appropriate assistance can be provided to the families.
The research
The investigation does not end with these five arrests. The research teams continue to work conspicuously and unobtrusively to reduce street robberies, robberies, thefts, extortion and nuisance of (criminal) youth groups. The police therefore do not rule out several arrests in these investigations, among other things. Therefore, always report if you have become the victim of a criminal offense. This can help the police enormously in their investigations. More information about reporting can be found here: https://www.politie.nl/aangifte-of-melding-doen
Information source: Politie.nl
