Search at the river in Verviers during the theft of millions at the Tefaf art fair

The police have started an investigation in the water in the city of Verviers in Belgium related to the jewel theft at the Tefaf art fair in Maastricht in June 2022. It is hoped that items used by the robbers will be found.

The Belgian and Dutch police are searching the stream and the water basin with special equipment. Magnets about one meter wide are used.

In the last few months, the research team has been able to map the robbers’ escape route. “Analysis of information and images has shown that the suspects stopped for a short time in a certain place in Verviers during their flight,” the report said. the police.

“After more than 2 years, we have already come a long way in the investigation,” said the director of the investigation. “A large part of our preparation, the robbery itself, the escape route, where where the suspects stayed, what cars they used and where they are likely to be now.”

However, pieces of information are still missing. “We hope to find items that were used in the robbery. That is another piece that can be added to the big puzzle.”

It was still May a new suspect was found The police also recovered two diamonds. The gang comes from Serbia. The suspects may still be there, or in the Belgrade area.

Two years ago, undercover robbers smashed display cases with hammers and held the public at gunpoint. They stole valuable jewelry worth tens of millions of euros. Last year the art fair took over additional security measures.

Here’s how the men fared in the 2022 jewel heist:

It was still a day after the robbery a puzzle how the smartly dressed men, with sledgehammers and possibly guns, could steal the jewels in broad daylight.

“I have never seen such a robbery carried out with so much violence in broad daylight at an antiques fair with an audience,” said art historian Martijn Akkermans at the time. “Four gentlemen in blazers and hats, as if they were the Peaky Blinders.”