Three Suspects Arrested in Connection to Arson and Explosion in Rotterdam

The Rotterdam police have arrested three men on suspicion of involvement in an arson and an explosion on Crooswijkseweg at the end of last month. They are an 18-year-old man from Capelle aan den IJssel and two Rotterdammers aged 17 and 20. The fire and the explosion were at a shop on the Crooswijkseweg.

Rotterdam has been struggling for months with nightly explosions and explosives left behind at homes and shops. This year there were already more than 50, more than in all of last year.

The police are still investigating the role that the suspects may have had in the incidents on Crooswijkseweg. The extent of their involvement is also unknown.

This specific arson and explosion on Crooswijkseweg occurred on April 29 and 30. On the night of April 28 to 29, a witness saw two men at the building and smelled a strange smell. The police were then called. Once at the store, officers discovered a bottle containing a suspected flammable liquid.

The following night, local residents were startled by loud bangs around 2:30 a.m. A boy in dark clothing then ran away over the Boezemsingel. No one was injured in either incident.

In the neighborhoods of Crooswijk and Oude West, which are regularly affected by these types of incidents, preventive searches have been carried out since the beginning of this month. The nightly explosions and explosives left behind are believed to be related to the drug trade.