Flammable items left at deceased plumber's home in Vlaardingen; Family wants protection

Flammable objects were left in front of the home of deceased Vlaardingen plumber Ron van Uffelen early on Wednesday morning. The police arrested two suspects later in the morning. The man’s family has asked the authorities for extra protection.

Van Uffelen died unexpectedly last week from a medical cause. He and his home were the targets of over 20 attacks or attempted attacks in a period spanning around 16 months. As a result, the Vlaardingen mayor banned the family from their home on Gretha Hofstralaan multiple times. They were allowed to return to their home early in July.

The flammable objects were left at the home at around 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday, the police said on X. Nothing exploded, and no one got hurt. Van Uffelen’s widow and children were home at the time. They’ve been accommodated elsewhere.

The police arrested two suspects in a car on the A4 highway just before 7:00 a.m. They are accused of involvement in placing the flammable objects at the deceased plumber’s home.

Van Uffelen’s family has asked “the authorities” for extra protection given this new incident, even after their husband and father’s death. They asked the authorities to “stand around them,” lawyer Richard Korver told ANP on behalf of the family.

It is still unclear why Van Uffelen was being targeted. Earlier this year, the man told Rijnmond that he had no idea why he was being attacked.