Champagne theft ring targets Utrecht liquor stores, police struggle to identify suspects
A string of champagne thefts has unsettled liquor stores in the province of Utrecht. Over recent weeks, thieves have repeatedly stolen expensive bottles, including high-end Moët champagne, from shops in Baarn and Wijk bij Duurstede. Authorities believe the thefts are the work of an organized group, RTV Utrecht reports.
Kees van de Steeg, owner of the Mitra liquor store in Baarn, reports he has been targeted three times since early March. The thieves have made off with thousands of euros worth of goods. “They come with a shopping list,” Van de Steeg told RTV, describing the methodical approach of the suspects.
According to Van de Steeg, the thieves operate by waiting until another customer is in the store. They then place items on the counter and request that the clerk serve the other customer first. “Then you are distracted,” he explained. During this distraction, the suspect quickly hides about five or six bottles in a special bag worn on their back. The bag is designed to muffle the sound of clinking glass.
The most frequently stolen bottles are Moët champagne, Van de Steeg told RTV Utrecht. He estimates the total loss in his store now exceeds 1,000 euros.
Other liquor stores in the area have suffered as well. Joost Bosscher, owner of Gall & Gall in Wijk bij Duurstede, confirmed the thieves have hit his shop three times, stealing champagne, whiskey, and a wine bottle priced at 79 euros. “They also paid for cheap items like beer cans or inexpensive wine to avoid suspicion,” Bosscher told RTV Utrecht.
Thefts of champagne and other liquor products are not new in the Netherlands. Petra de Boevere, chair of the Royal Liquor Union (Koninklijke Slijtersunie), told RTV Utrecht that she receives regular reports of such thefts nationwide. Last year, an East European gang was involved, but current reports suggest two men are responsible. Their origin remains unknown.
De Boevere added that these criminals are well-prepared and sometimes commit multiple thefts in a single day, likely requiring a driver. Many liquor store owners share warnings and suspect images via Facebook.
The police acknowledge the phenomenon. A spokesperson told RTV Utrecht that there are no specific statistics on stolen champagne bottles but confirmed awareness of roaming criminal groups stealing various goods, including perfume and razors. The Baarn police confirmed that four bottles valued at 323 euros were stolen in one early incident. An investigation followed but was closed after suspects could not be identified.
“We understand that this is disappointing for victims, but police capacity requires prioritizing resources every day,” the spokesperson said.
The police do not know if the same suspects committed recent thefts because the Baarn store owner did not report the latest incident.
In response, Van de Steeg has secured all expensive champagne bottles in his back storage and is considering store layout changes to improve surveillance and reduce theft risk.
