1/2 Erwin’s father’s car was damaged during his heroic act (photo: Omroep Brabant)
Ever since Erwin Lips trapped two robbers from a cafeteria on Saturday evening, he has been the hero of Odiliapeel. But the damage to his father’s car cannot be repaired with that honorary title alone. Because it was not Erwin’s own vehicle with which he stopped the fleeing criminals on their stolen scooter. The action damaged the car and it is unclear whether the repairs will be reimbursed.
Ed, the hero’s father, isn’t very concerned about the damage. Just like his son, he responds very matter-of-factly with ‘it’s just damage to the body’. “I probably would have done the same thing,” he continues. Father Lips came from a party on Saturday evening and saw all the police standing around his car. “It was a bit of an absurd situation. I went there straight away and heard the whole story from my son and the police. I’m so happy that those robbers were caught.”
“It is not yet certain that the damage to the car is insured.”
It is not the first time that Eethuis De Buurman has been robbed. “It has happened five times in the past four years,” says cafeteria owner Henri van Son (61). This is the first time that the perpetrators have been caught and that feels nice. Nothing ever happened for the first thirty years and now it has happened regularly in the past few years. I think it’s becoming increasingly difficult for people to make ends meet and that’s why they do this. It is always around November when things go wrong.”
Ed’s car suffered damage to the front bumper and side mirror. “I put it to our intermediary whether something like this will be reimbursed. He did not immediately sound hopeful because I am not fully insured. I may have to seek redress from the perpetrators through legal aid, but you cannot pick from a bald chicken. They will did not plan the robbery because they are well-funded.”
“One way or another, that damage will be compensated in Odiliapeel.”
The police sounded much more positive immediately after the arrest. “He immediately reassured us that this was insured. Due to the intervention of hero Erwin, two robbers were caught who would otherwise have escaped,” says Ed. “The scooter turned out to be stolen and the license plate was also false.”
Another hopeful sound also comes from Odiliapeel itself. On Sunday I was spontaneously told by a passer-by that he would reimburse the damage if it was not insured. Cafeteria owner Henri has also heard these kinds of sounds. “And if there is a sudden silence when the bill comes, I will put a piggy bank here at the cash register, but not in November and December.”
Would you like to read more about this topic? This is also interesting:
Here you can read how Erwin Lips came to the rescue of cafeteria owner Henri van Son in Odiliapeel
Besides Erwin, there are more Brabanders who have performed a heroic deed, these are a few