Woman robbed of jewellery and cash in Brussels – while in police custody

A woman who was questioned by Brussels police late last week was forced to leave without the expensive jewellery she was wearing as it disappeared while she was in custody. In fact, all of the woman’s belongings, including her bank card and €150 in cash, went missing.

According to the woman, identified as Paola by La Dernière Heure, she and her nine-year-old son were stopped near the Justice Palace for a parking infraction. When police ran her ID, they found that she was wanted for questioning because her ex-husband had accused her of kidnapping their child.

She and the boy were taken to the federal police station in Rue Royale. “The agents were very aggressive; my son was so scared,” she told the paper.

Nine hours

She was relieved of her belongings and questioned for nine hours before she and her son were released, late in the evening. “I went to get my things, but what did I find? Everything was gone,” she said. “They must have been stolen by the police, there is no other explanation.”

The woman had €150 in cash, as well as jewellery, including a bracelet worth €7,000. “My bank card, earrings, even my bra, had all disappeared. According to the police, there are no cameras in that area. They took me and my son back to my car, robbed of everything. My son is totally traumatised.”

Police spokesperson Ilse Van de Keere confirmed that an internal investigation into the incident is underway. “These are troubling accusations that the police take very seriously,” she said. “The chief of police will speak with the woman personally.”

Photo ©Laurie Dieffembacq/BELGA