Aalst (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) October 19, 2026 – An examining magistrate in Gent placed four male suspects under formal arrest on Sunday following a high-speed police pursuit that originated in Deinze and ended near the Aalst off-ramp heading towards Ninove. Law enforcement officers intercepted the suspects’ vehicle on Saturday evening, subsequently recovering sum amounts of cash and stolen jewellery inside the transport. The East Flanders Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the individuals face charges including theft, criminal association, and multiple severe traffic infractions committed during the pursuit.
High-Speed Police Pursuit Across East Flanders Initiated in Deinze
The police operation commenced late on Saturday night when patrolling officers identified a suspicious vehicle in the municipality of Deinze. Upon attempting a standard traffic stop for inspection, the vehicle’s driver refused to pull over, accelerating away and triggering a multi-jurisdictional vehicular chase across East Flanders.
The pursuit crossed several municipal boundaries as law enforcement units from local police zones coordinated alongside federal units to maintain continuous surveillance of the fleeing vehicle. Law enforcement officers attempted various tactical manoeuvres to safely contain the suspect vehicle while managing traffic risks along the transit route. The pursuit came to a close when police units successfully intercepted and stopped the vehicle at the Aalst highway exit off the E40 corridor, in the direction of Ninove.
Interception and Discovery of Stolen Cash and Jewellery
Upon halting the vehicle at the Aalst exit, police officers immediately restrained and took all four male occupants into custody without further physical confrontation. A preliminary search of the vehicle was conducted at the scene by attending officers to secure potential evidence and ensure officer safety.
During the search, officers located and seized a quantity of cash alongside items of jewellery stored within the vehicle. Law enforcement authorities secured these physical items as material evidence related to recent property crimes recorded in the region. The vehicle used in the flight was likewise impounded for detailed forensic examination and tracing. Following their arrest, all four suspects were transported to police premises for formal processing and initial interrogation.
Judicial Proceedings and Formal Charges Issued by Gent Magistrate
On Sunday, the East Flanders Public Prosecutor’s Office submitted the case file to the investigating court, requesting formal pre-trial detention for all four suspects based on the gravity of the offenses and the risk of flight. Following preliminary interrogations, the examining magistrate in Gent formally placed the four men under arrest.
The four suspects face multiple criminal charges, including:
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Theft and Possession of Stolen Goods: Derived from the cash and jewellery discovered inside the vehicle.
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Criminal Association (Bendevorming): Pertaining to organized group conduct in committing criminal acts.
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Traffic Violations: Encompassing dangerous driving, failure to obey police orders, and endangering other road users during the high-speed pursuit.
