Police officers in the Brussels-Capital/Ixelles area arrested two men on Tuesday evening suspected of having violently stolen a Hublot watch worth around 30,000 euros, the Brussels public prosecutor’s office said on Thursday. One of them is already known for 4 acts of aggravated theft with violence and a crime of pickpocketing. The two suspects, in an irregular situation on the territory, received a direct summons before the criminal court.
The victim is a tourist who was assaulted outside the door of his hotel as he returned to his room. A suspect grabbed him from behind and tried, unsuccessfully, to remove the watch from his wrist. His accomplice then came to lend him a hand and punched the victim in the face. They then fled in opposite directions. The victim pursued the suspect in possession of the watch. He managed to control it with the help of a passerby and police officers on patrol. The second suspect was also arrested. A friend of the victim and bystanders grabbed him and held him until law enforcement arrived.
The watch was damaged at the clasp. It was returned to its owner.