The events took place during the night from Wednesday to Thursday last week. Emergency services were alerted at 3:50 a.m. Four people, masked and armed with a gun, invaded a house located on the grounds of Hof ter Linden castle, in Beukendreef in ‘s Gravenwezel (Schilde). “The two residents aged 53 and 61 and two staff aged 48 and 51 were threatened. The couple received violent blows,” confirms Kristof Aerts, spokesperson for the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office.
The attackers allegedly forced them to open the safe and eventually fled with car keys, cell phones, purses and jewelry. “The victims were slightly injured and were taken to hospital,” said Aerts.
Employees
The victims are a Dutch millionaire, his wife and two employees living there. According to the Dutch business magazine Quote, the millionaire made his fortune in the IT sector. After selling one of his companies, he bought Hof ter Linden, where several of his companies are now located. The gigantic castle park – which, in addition to the house, also contains several outbuildings such as a coach house and stables – also has a registered helicopter port, so that its helicopter can land in front of the gate.
The investigation into the facts is being carried out by the federal judicial police. The images from the numerous cameras (ANPR) present in the area will be examined in particular.
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