Dutch police make breakthrough on Schiphol heist
Published: November 9, 2005
Dutch police investigating one of the world’s biggest diamond heists said they made a breakthrough on Monday, arresting a key suspect and raiding three houses in Amsterdam.
The thieves hijacked an armoured truck at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport in February and escaped with jewellery and diamonds worth around 75 million euros (50 million pounds).
“The man was arrested in the early hours in Amsterdam. He is 41 years old,” said police spokesman Rob Stenacker. “He is suspected of being closely involved in the diamond robbery. We see this as a breakthrough in the case.”
Police declined to give further details about the suspect or the house searches.
On the day of the robbery, armed robbers hijacked a truck delivering the precious cargo to a flight bound for Antwerp, Belgium, the world centre for the diamond trade.
After the robbery, Dutch Justice Minister Piet Hein Donner announced extra security measures, including permanent surveillance on cargo ramps and armed escorts for valuable goods.
In the largest gem theft recorded by Guinness World Records, an estimated $100 million (57 million pounds) worth of gems were looted from the vaults of the Antwerp Diamond Centre in 2003.
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