According to the public prosecutor, two men from Emmen have to go to jail for car theft, assault and possession of weapons. According to the suspects, these were only borrowed cars. “I am known as a criminal, everyone immediately expects the worst from me.”
The suspects, a 48-year-old man from Emmen and a 38-year-old man of no fixed abode, are not in the dock for the first time. In the past two years, they have both been convicted before: for shoplifting, assault and vandalism. Both have been in pre-trial detention for six months for their alleged involvement in two car thefts, assaults and prohibited possession of weapons.
Stolen wheels
They do not want to say much about the extensive list of charges that have now been filed, while according to the public prosecutor the charges do not lie. The two are suspected of stealing a car together at gunpoint. A few days later, he is found with fake German license plates in a parking lot, with the oldest suspect – asleep behind the wheel – inside.
The two also steal a car from another acquaintance. When they get a blowout later that day, they try to steal a wheel from two parked cars to continue driving. They are caught red-handed. The youngest suspect must also answer for three other charges: theft of an e-bike and odors in Kruidvat and serious assault on an acquaintance.
Borrowed cars
The few times that the suspects do not invoke their right to remain silent, they deny the accusations in every way. “Those cars were borrowed,” claims the 38-year-old man. “But because I am known as a criminal, everyone assumes the worst.” Yet the men did not return any of the borrowed cars or bicycles to their owners, the judge tells them. And those stolen car wheels? The suspects look at each other. “No comment.”
According to the youngest suspect, the reports were made out of jealousy, or because the declarants themselves have something to hide. According to the public prosecutor, this is unlikely. “An innocent person against whom so many reports are made is very unlucky, or he has some explaining to do.”
Refuse to cooperate
The fact that in many cases the gentlemen do not want to do this does not make matters any better, according to him. The Public Prosecution Service believes that there is more than enough evidence. There is footage from a doorbell camera and surveillance cameras in the drugstore. Photos of a firearm were found on the suspect’s phone, and the suspects’ DNA is on all the cars and tools used to unscrew the wheels.
Due to their previous convictions and refusal to cooperate in a probation investigation, he sees no choice but to demand a high prison sentence. He demands 20 months in prison for the oldest suspect, 30 for the youngest. This will be deducted from the time the two men have spent in pre-trial detention.
The court will make its ruling on December 4.