Man from Ede arrested for violent robbery of famed Wassenaar jeweler and his wife

The police arrested a 36-year-old man from Ede on Tuesday for possible involvement in a violent robbery of a jeweler and his wife in Wassenaar. The elderly couple were taken hostage in their own home for several hours last July. The jeweler, identified by the Telegraaf as 80-year-old Fred Brom, was also reportedly stabbed and struck on the head with a crowbar.

The two victims were tied up, assaulted, and threatened by three masked men who broke into the villa on Backershagenlaan. Police added that the victims developed post-traumatic stress syndrome after the July 6 incident.

Brom designed the engagement ring that Máxima received from Willem-Alexander before he became the country's king. He operated Steltman Juweliers until he retired four years ago and handed the company over to his sons.

Newspaper reports pegged the value of the robbery at roughly a million euros. Police did not confirm this, but did acknowledge that the robbers left with a great deal of valuables. A spokesperson cited privacy reasons when refusing to disclose information about the monetary value of the stolen contents.

A great deal of attention has been given to the case. It was profiled on the show Opsporing Verzocht. Police stated in the episode that valuable jewelry was stolen.

The investigation into other people who were possibly involved in the crime is ongoing. The suspect arrested this week was being held in restricted custody, meaning he will only be allowed contact with his lawyer. He is expected to face an initial hearing before an examining magistrate by the end of the week, at which time his pre-trial detention may be extended by up to two more weeks.