Zaanstad – The police arrested six underage boys outside the act on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, for violent crimes committed last January. The arrests follow a series of previous arrests, with almost 50 arrests in recent months. The six are still in custody and their role is being further investigated.
On Monday, January 15, 2024, around 2:30 p.m., a 42-year-old man from Alkmaar and an underage boy from the municipality of Zaanstad were abused by a large group of young people on Peperstraat in Zaandam. During the assault they were punched and kicked several times. Both victims did not require medical treatment. After an investigation, the police were able to identify six suspects for this violent incident. These are boys between the ages of 13 and 17 from the municipalities of Zaanstad and Wormerland. Their role in the abuse is being further investigated.
Later that month, on Thursday, January 25, 2024, a 20-year-old boy from the municipality of Edam-Volendam was abused at Cypressehout in Zaandam as a result of a conflict. In the fight with several people, in addition to punches, he was also hit on the head with a bottle. As a result, the victim suffered injuries and had to be taken to hospital for treatment. In this investigation, the police arrested a 16-year-old boy from the municipality of Zaanstad. He is also still in custody and his role is being further investigated. More arrests cannot be ruled out. During a search of the suspect’s home, a firearm and an electric bicycle, resulting from theft, were found. Both the firearm and the stolen bicycle were seized.
Team leader Sherwin Tjin-Asjoe (Basic Team Zaanstad): ”Within Zaanstad we have seen a worrying increase in violent crimes in recent months, involving groups of minors. This concerns serious assaults, public violence and robberies. We now have a clear picture of this group and our approach now appears to be paying off. Not only because it is our job, we want to show that the behavior these young people exhibit is not normal. By tackling this problem firmly, we want to clearly limit this behavior and break the cycle of violence. I realize that more is needed than just our arrests.”
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Information source: Politie.nl
