©Police Brussels CAPITAL Ixelles
On Tuesday October 4, a 10-year-old boy was the victim of a theft, Place Rouppe in Brussels. The Brussels Capital Ixelles police zone says that the boy had left his home “to go to the bank, then do some shopping at a butcher’s shop. While riding his bike home, his chain came off the sprocket. When he stopped to put it back in place, he was approached by a man and a woman.”
Law enforcement says the couple threatened the child while demanding he give his money. “The child, completely in shock, handed them 20 euros, after which the couple fled. Seconds later, in tears, the boy stopped a police patrol and told what he had just live. He was able to point out the suspect man, allowing the officers to arrest him. The boy was taken to the police station where he was given proper attention.”
The woman, who had fled, was arrested during a search. “She immediately recognized the facts and also handed over the stolen 20 euros”, said the police. The two suspects were made available to the prosecution after their interrogation.
A meeting between the police and the child was then arranged, following the request of the victim’s mother.
“She asked if it was possible to arrange a meeting between her son and the officers who intervened. The surprise was great when the boy and his mother arrived with a big box of chocolates as a thank you. They were then happy to be photographed, all together, in front of the doors of our main police station. ‘It’s not every day that we can really make a difference for a victim, but on this one, we succeeded’, concluded one of the intervening inspectors”concludes the Brussels Capital Ixelles police zone.