Belgians held after randomly punching people with brass knuckles

Four Belgian men were arrested in Wernhout at around 4:00 a.m. on Monday. The police suspect them of assaulting at least two people with brass knuckles in Rijsbergen and Zundert during the early hours of Monday morning.

According to the police, the Belgians beat up random victims who crossed their path. The first victim, a 23 year old man from Zundert, was attacked around 2:15 a.m. on Molenstraat in Zundert. He was walking with his brother when a group of men approached them. One asked for a light and when the victim took out his lighter, punched him hard in the face. He had to go to hospital for treatment.

At around 3:30 a.m. a 21-year-old was assaulted in Rijsbergen by the same group. He was cycling over Sint Bavostraat in the direction of Breda when a dark car with Belgian registration stopped him. Two men got out and started assaulting him. They punched him in the head with brass knuckles several times, demanding money. The victim managed to get to his feet and ran away in the direction of Kennedyplein. His attackers gave up the chase quickly and returned to their car. The victim took shelter in a kebab shop, from where he called the police and was taken to the hospital.

The police are also investigating whether the suspects were involved in other incidents between Sunday night and Monday morning. Other cases the police suspect them of include a stone being thrown through the windshield of a moving car on Schuurkerkstraat in Sprundel around 3:00 a.m. The 54 year old driver pressed charges. In Zundert two cyclists were also assaulted by the occupants of a car with Belgian plates.

The suspects, a 21 year old man from Brasschaat, a 22 year old man from Merksel, a 16 year old boy from Wuustwezel and an 18 year old man from Loenhout, are in custody for further investigation.