Soldier with PTSD held after threatening to blow up apartment

By Janene Pieters on Wednesday, 18 November 2015 - 10:40
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New Dutch police uniforms feature a broad yellow stripe (photo: Politie)New Dutch police uniforms feature a broad yellow stripe (photo: Politie)

A SWAT team raided a home on Severinplein in Maastricht at around 8:00 on Wednesday morning and arrested a disturbed man who was threatening to open the gas valve and blow himself up. The man is a former soldier suffering from PTSD, according to the police

The police, fire department and mental health services responded to the home on Cramer van Brienenstraat after receiving a call from the man in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The man threatened to open the gas valve in his home and cause an explosion. The police also called in a negotiator.

A total of 17 surrounding homes were evacuated. Dozens of residents were given shelter in a nearby community center.

The SWAT team forced their way into the home around 8:00 a.m. and brought the man out. He was medically checked and transferred to a cell in the police station.

There was no sign of gas in the home and evacuated residents were allowed to return to their homes.

According to the police, there is no sign of a terrorist threat of any kind.

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