Police are targeting suspects in the major jewelery heist that occurred at the Tefaf art fair in Maastricht in June last year. This is a group of Balkan countries.
Police write that one of the jewelery pieces has since been confiscated. The police did not say what kind of gem it was. But it’s certainly not the most expensive piece ever recovered: a 114-carat yellow diamond said to be worth 27 million euros. “But with the discovery of this gem, the research team can take another big step in the investigation.”
On the fourth day of the fair, four men smashed the showcases with precious jewels. Passers-by were kept at a distance with guns. A half-million-euro reward was offered last year for the gold tip in the case.
According to police, the investigation into the robbery is still “advanced”. 20 investigators are working on this case with Interpol and Europol, among others. “We are confident that this case can be resolved and the suspects can be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.
Pink Panther Gang
Experts had previously pointed to the so-called Pink Panther gang, an international group specializing in stealing expensive jewellery. The police did not confirm this. Interpol named the gang the Pink Panther after a crime comedy starring Inspector Clouseau, starring a jewel thief of the same name.
Police tweeted photos of the suspects a few days after the robbery:
The next edition of the art fair starts next week on March 11. The organization has taken additional security measures. For example, there will be detection doors at the entrance and large bags will not be allowed inside.
This is how the men smashed the shop windows:
Source: NOS
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
