According to the Brussels prosecutor’s office, the person responsible for the armed robbery in a cafe in Anderlecht on Thursday evening was armed with a handgun and threw a practice grenade into the establishment. The suspect is still at large.
The incident occurred around 8:10 p.m on Thursday on rue Edmond Delcourt. The suspect entered the cafe and threatened patrons with a firearm. When the suspect was alone in the establishment, they threw an object into the middle of the room before fleeing. Further investigation revealed that the object was a practice grenade that did not detonate.
The cafe was immediately evacuated, and the police established a security perimeter. The army’s demining service was called in to defuse the explosive device. When it was determined that there was no risk to the public, the security perimeter was lifted.
The prosecutor’s office has ordered an investigation into the incident, which includes the appointment of a ballistics expert and a review of camera footage. The federal police laboratory has also been called in to assist with the investigation.
The author of the armed robbery which took place in a café in Anderlecht on Thursday evening carried a handgun on him, in addition to having thrown a practice grenade in the establishment, indicates Friday the parquet floor of Brussels. The individual has not yet been found.
This attack in a café on rue Edmond Delcourt took place around 8:10 p.m. on Thursday. A man entered the bar and threatened those present with a firearm, the prosecution said. “When the man found himself alone in the bar, he threw an object in the middle of the room and fled. The first findings were able to determine that it was a grenade.”
The grenade thrown into a cafe in Anderlecht was a practice grenade
The device did not explode but the establishment was immediately evacuated and the police established a security perimeter. The army demining service (Sedee) moved to defuse the explosive, which was none other than a practice grenade. When it turned out that no risk was incurred, the security perimeter was lifted.
The prosecution was informed of the facts and ordered the first investigative duties, including the appointment of a ballistics expert and the analysis of the camera images. The federal police laboratory also went to the scene.
The incident at the café in Anderlecht has left the authorities scrambling to find the perpetrator behind the armed robbery. Though the situation could have been far worse, thanks to the swift emergency response, there is a great deal of concern over the presence of a handgun and a practice grenade. The involved agencies are working to identify the suspect and bring them to justice swiftly. Until then, we can only hope that such incidents remain rare, and that the community stays vigilant and safe.