On Tuesday morning, seven people were arrested in a lengthy police investigation into stolen agricultural equipment. The suspects were arrested in various places in East Brabant and Limburg.
Spread throughout almost the whole of the Netherlands, riding lawn mowers, tools and sprinkler installations were removed from people’s homes on a large scale, the police reported on Tuesday.
Arrests
The suspects were arrested in nine simultaneous raids in Sint-Anthonis, Someren, Venray, Uden, Lomm and Wanroij. They range in age from 27 to 58 years old. Searches are still ongoing at this time.
In addition to the police, customs and the Specialist Operations Service of the National Unit are also involved in the raids. Special detection dogs are used to search for large amounts of money.
A year and a half of research
The police in Helmond has been investigating for a year and a half. According to the police, agricultural equipment was frequently removed from garages and sheds in people’s homes.
“People were often knocked on first. When they were at home, the question was asked whether the residents had scrap iron. If no one was home, agricultural equipment was stolen. The suspects mainly struck in the countryside.
In the resale, the suspects still received several thousand euros for the vehicles. All seven are still incarcerated.