Four arrested for Beverwijk abduction; victim seriously hurt

A 37-year-old man from Beverwijk was seriously injured when he was briefly abducted in his hometown on Saturday night. A total of four suspects were arrested, the police said in a statement. Witnesses report shots being fired.

The police responded to a report of a man being forced into a delivery van on Melis Stokelaan in Beverwijk at around 10:45 p.m. on Saturday. Responding officers spotted a delivery van on Beneluxlaan. When the driver noticed the police, he sped off. The police gave chase.

On Hoflaan, the abducted man was thrown out of the van. He was seriously hurt. A number of police officers stayed behind to care for the victim, while other police officers continued chasing the van.

The police managed to stop the van on Luxemburglaan. The suspects fled further on foot, but they were quickly caught. Four men between the ages of 25 and 41 years were arrested. The suspects threw a number of items out of the van's windows during the chase. According to NOS, this included at least two firearms. A video by the Telegraaf shows at least one gun on the street.

The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries. The motive for the abduction is not yet known. The police are investigating.

A 23-year-old woman witnessed the abduction. "I heard loud screaming and then I saw that he was thrown into a white van", she said to NH Nieuws. "The doors were slammed closed and I saw the van drive away. I ran after it and called the police." She also told the broadcaster that she's seen the van often on the street.