Mechelen: Thief flees on foot across E19, halts traffic

Lailuma Sadid
Credit: Rivierenland Police Zone

Mechelen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Rivierenland zone police department arrested three suspected thieves in Mechelen. The intruders escaped their automobile as it reached speeds surpassing 150 kilometres per hour. 

Multiple arrests took place at Mechelen police stations after multiple theft reports surfaced. Hombeeksesteenweg shops witnessed a shoplifter who received apprehension from an officer who was on duty. The police apprehended three men following a high-speed pursuit when they discovered stolen merchandise and burglary equipment in their possession.

A French-plate vehicle attracted a police patrol’s attention in Mechelen on the last Sunday of the month. The driver proceeds along the B101 roadway before making a return trip from Leuvensesteenweg toward Mechelen-Zuid.

After leaving his vehicle in a Brusselsesteenweg parking spot, the driver attempted to run, but police observed his getaway at a quick speed.

The police start the chase. The police chase took the Jubellaan before reaching the Europalaan and Geerdegem-Schonenberg. The person who fled the police abandoned traffic signals and achieved speeds exceeding 150 kilometres per hour. Motorcyclists need to step to safety as vehicles approach at high speeds.

The driver remains trapped inside a dead-end street. One passenger escapes to the industrial area while the others flee towards the E19 highway. 

Two individuals try to cross the highway, and the second falls while the first person escapes an accident. The federal highway police stop traffic for the protection of suspects along with police personnel. Drone teams unite with specialised dog personnel to assist in the search operations at the designated site.

The police officers managed to detain all three individuals who were under arrest. Officers have detained three French citizens who belong to the age group of 16 to 30 years old. 

Among the robbery tools, a screwdriver and wire cutter were found inside their vehicle. A combination of stolen products includes the drone laptop, camera equipment, and missing lenses. Some recovered stolen items originated from Zaventem airport on the precise day. The owner will get them back.

What is the significance of these arrests in Mechelen?

Law enforcement authorities continue to face persistent difficulties when operating in the areas near Mechelen. Belgium’s province Antwerp hosts Mechelen as its economic and cultural hub district. The city deals with multiple public security-related problems. 

Recent reports confirm that shoplifting alongside theft continues to be a major problem across the region, leading to enhanced monitoring by law enforcers and the business community. Border security becomes a concern when undocumented people and foreign nationals participate in criminal activities.

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Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.
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Lailuma Sadid is a former diplomat in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Embassy to the kingdom of Belgium, in charge of NATO. She attended the NATO Training courses and speakers for the events at NATO H-Q in Brussels, and also in Nederland, Germany, Estonia, and Azerbaijan. Sadid has is a former Political Reporter for Pajhwok News Agency, covering the London, Conference in 2006 and Lisbon summit in 2010.
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