A 35-year-old man from Romania is suspected of four attempted homicides in the municipality of Leudal. He allegedly drove into two police officers and two road workers while fleeing from the police from Horn via Haelen to Buggenum in late March. This transpired Tuesday morning in court in Roermond.
Police revealed about the case six months ago only that officers had managed to collar four thieves after a wild chase. "During their escape attempt, the perpetrators almost ran over a man," police reported at the time. The case appears to be much more serious.
Officers wanted to stop a passenger car and a van in which four Romanians were traveling on Thursday, March 28, on Haelerweg in Horn "due to suspicious circumstances. The driver of one of the cars, which contained three people, stopped for the police. The driver of the van ignored the stop signal and fled. On the way, he allegedly tried to ram the police car. He also allegedly drove through a roadblock, hit an excavator and nearly hit two road workers. The suspect eventually drove himself stuck in Buggenum. The Romanian tried unsuccessfully to flee further on foot.
Property crimes
Further investigation revealed that the four Romanians committed property crimes in Belgium. In their cars, police allegedly found stolen items upon their arrest. They are being prosecuted for this in Belgium.
The court ruled Tuesday that the 35-year-old man, probably until his case is heard in substance, will remain in the Netherlands in prison. At the request of attorney Sjanneke de Crom, the four alleged victims will be heard as witnesses at the magistrate's court in the coming weeks.
