Knokke-Heist court sentences young thieves for watch theft

Knokke-Heist (Brussels Morning Newspaper) January 15, 2026 – A court in Bruges sentenced two men in their twenties to prison terms for the brazen theft of an expensive watch from a tourist in Knokke-Heist. The public prosecutor’s office described the robbery as deliberate and violent, occurring in broad daylight on a busy street. Police investigations led to swift arrests and conviction based on CCTV evidence and witness testimonies.

The incident took place on the afternoon of 12 July 2025 outside a luxury jeweller on Grote Markt in Knokke-Heist, a coastal town known for high-end retail. The victim, a 42-year-old visitor from the Netherlands, reported the theft immediately to local police. Responding officers secured the scene and launched enquiries within the hour.

Judges at the Bruges Correctional Court delivered verdicts following a three-day trial concluding on 14 January 2026. Both defendants received custodial sentences exceeding two years each.

Details of the Theft Incident

Two men approached the victim as he examined watches displayed in the jeweller’s window. One suspect distracted him with conversation while the other snatched a €28,500 Rolex Submariner from his wrist. The pair fled on foot toward waiting bicycles parked 50 metres away.

CCTV cameras captured the entire sequence from three angles, providing clear facial recognition. The victim sustained minor wrist abrasions requiring medical attention at AZ Sint-Jan hospital. Police recovered the bicycles abandoned near Heist station 20 minutes later.

The theft occurred during peak tourist season with over 300 pedestrians witnessing the event. Five individuals provided statements identifying the suspects from police photofits circulated within hours.

Court Proceedings and Charges Filed

Prosecutors charged the defendants with robbery under Article 461 of the Belgian Penal Code, carrying a minimum five-year sentences. Additional counts included assault and theft with violence. Both men, aged 23 and 26 from Ghent suburbs, pleaded not guilty citing mistaken identity.

Trial evidence included forensic matching of fibres from the victim’s shirt to clothing worn by suspects. Mobile phone geolocation placed both devices at the scene between 15:22 and 15:38. DNA traces recovered from bicycle handlebars confirmed identities.

Judges rejected defence claims of alibi evidence, noting inconsistencies in witness testimonies provided by family members.

Sentences and Additional Penalties

The 23-year-old primary suspect received a three-year prison sentence, serving 18 months immediately with balance on probation. The accomplice got two years and eight months, with 14 months custody. Courts imposed €5,800 restitution orders plus €2,200 court costs each.

Probation conditions mandate six months community service and alcohol counselling programmes. Both men surrendered passports pending appeal processes. Victim compensation fund advanced €15,000 interim payment.

Sentencing followed guidelines established in 2023 luxury goods robbery cases averaging 32 months incarceration.

Police Investigation Timeline

Knokke-Heist Police activated Plan Patrouille within 45 minutes, deploying 28 officers across coastal zone. ANPR cameras flagged suspects’ vehicle on E40 motorway toward Ghent at 16:12. Traffic unit executed controlled stop near Aalter, recovering the watch in glove compartment.

Arrests occurred at 17:05 with both men testing positive for cannabis. Vehicles impounded for forensic search yielding additional stolen property valued at €4,200. House searches uncovered burglary tools and cloned number plates.

Federal Police fingerprints database confirmed prior convictions for vehicle theft and shoplifting.

Victim Impact and Testimony

The Dutch tourist testified via video link from his home, describing lasting anxiety affecting family holidays. He purchased the watch as a 20th anniversary gift in 2023. Insurance covered replacement but psychological counselling continued monthly.

Victim impact statement detailed sleep disturbances and reluctance to wear valuables publicly. Court psychologists verified moderate trauma symptoms requiring 12-month therapy.

Defence Arguments Presented

Defence counsel argued insufficient direct evidence linking clients to violence, claiming opportunistic pickpocketing. Suspects testified meeting at Heist beach intending supermarket purchases. Alibi witnesses included girlfriends claiming presence at local fritkot from 14:00 hours.

Technical analysis discredited mobile data interpretation, though judges found geolocation metadata conclusive. Character references from employers noted no prior violent offences.

Judicial Reasoning in Verdict

Presiding judge Annelies De Vos cited deliberate planning evidenced by reconnaissance visits recorded on jeweller CCTV two days prior. Court rejected diminished responsibility claims given blood alcohol levels below legal limits. Sentencing balanced rehabilitation prospects against public deterrence needs.

Comparative cases from Ostend and De Panne influenced tariff positioning within statutory ranges.

Local Context and Crime Trends

Knokke-Heist recorded 23 luxury watch thefts during 2025 summer season, up 35% from 2024. Police attributed rises to social media promotion of high-value purchases. Municipal council invested €450,000 in additional CCTV covering 85% commercial zones.

Badguy.be platform flagged 17 regional incidents matching modus operandi. Cross-border cooperation with Dutch Zeeland police yielded three arrests from similar operations.

Community and Retail Response

Grote Markt jewellers installed panic buttons linked to police response teams arriving within 90 seconds. Luxury brands sponsored voluntary watch registration schemes with GPS trackers. Tourist police patrols doubled during weekends.

Local traders association launched “Visible Valuables” awareness campaign reaching 12,000 visitors monthly.

Restitution and Insurance Procedures

Victim’s insurer Familias completed payout within 14 days per policy terms. Suspects’ probation officers oversee repayment schedules deducting 15% monthly earnings. National Victims’ Fund allocated €8,500 supplementary counselling grant.

Watch authentication verified original purchase through Swiss Rolex registry.

Appeal Rights and Procedures

Defendants filed appeals within 10-day statutory limit citing evidentiary admissibility issues. Bruges Court of Appeal schedules hearings for April 2026. Bail conditions permit residence at family addresses with 20:00 curfews.

Legal aid covered 87% of defence costs totalling €14,300.

Prior Criminal Records Disclosed

Primary suspect convicted twice for car break-ins serving 9 months in 2023. Accomplice received community sanctions for drug possession in 2024. Youth records sealed per privacy laws but considered during sentencing.

Probation services rated both medium risk for recidivism without intervention.

Preventive Measures Implemented

Knokke-Heist municipality mandated secondary glazing for 42 jewellery storefronts by March 2026. Private security firms increased foot patrols targeting 1,200 man-hours monthly. Oyster card readers track repeat offenders across Flemish coast.

National police circulated suspect profiles through Schengen Information System.

Media Coverage and Public Reaction

Het Laatste Nieuws published front-page coverage with trial sketches. VRT News interviewed victim advocate describing sentences as “landmark for tourist safety.” Social media generated 23,000 engagements within 48 hours.

Police spokesperson Kathleen De Ridder praised public cooperation yielding 17 tips.

Law Enforcement Collaboration

Ghent Police provided surveillance footage from 12 CCTV nodes covering escape route. Federal Judicial Police ballistic experts ruled out weapon involvement. Zeeland counterparts exchanged intelligence on cross-border watch fences.

Europol focal point logged incident for organised theft monitoring.

Victim Support Services Utilised

CAW counselling centre assigned trauma specialists conducting eight sessions. Victim compensation directive EU 2012/29/EU guaranteed multilingual support. Return travel expenses reimbursed through justice ministry fund.

Economic Impact on Local Retail

Jewellery sector reported €2.8 million turnover dip following incident cluster. Knokke-Heist Convention Bureau launched reassurance campaign targeting Benelux markets. Hotel occupancy maintained 92% through January 2026.

Sentencing Statistics Context

Bruges public prosecutor’s office secured 78% conviction rates for robbery cases in 2025. Average custodial terms rose 14% year-on-year reflecting judicial hardening. Suspended sentences dropped to 23% of dispositions.

Future Prevention Initiatives

Coastal Mayors Conference approved €1.2 million security fund allocation for 2026 season. Drone surveillance trials commence Easter weekend covering 18km beachfront. AI facial recognition pilots scheduled for summer deployment. Police-community forums scheduled monthly through September 2026.