The Public Prosecution Service in The Hague has demanded prison sentences ranging from five to six and a half years against three men for their roles in a home invasion on March 5, 2024, on Simon Vestdijkstraat in The Hague. The 63-year-old resident was injured during the invasion and died a few days later.
The suspects are a 23-year-old man from Spijkenisse, a 35-year-old man from Middenbeemster, and a 34-year-old man from Purmerend. The Public Prosecution Service believes they are responsible for theft and extortion with violence aimed at stealing money.
Home Invasion
On March 5, 2024, two men entered a home on Simon Vestdijkstraat in The Hague. The men demanded money from the resident of the house and took items with them. They wanted him to transfer money, but if that failed, he had to pay two times a request of 950 euros. When the victim tried to escape the house and fell, he was pulled back into the house. An observant neighbor came to the residents aid, preventing worse from happening. The suspects then fled.
The victim sustained injuries to his knee in the fall and ended up in the hospital. Ten days after the invasion, he died. However, according to the Public Prosecution Service, there is no causal link between the injury and the victims death.
DNA
In the police investigation, the two suspects who entered the house quickly came into view. DNA was found on a cigarette and a can in the victims home. On March 22, two weeks after the invasion, the two intruders were arrested. A few weeks later, the police arrested a third suspect.
Threatening Messages
According to the Public Prosecution Service, the invasion was well-prepared. One of the suspects allegedly contacted the victim via the internet, blackmailing him due to inappropriate sexual contacts on social media. The suspects sent threatening messages that “if he did not pay, he would be exposed.”
According to the prosecutor, the suspects conducted reconnaissance and displayed a “refined and organized method, with all suspects having their own share.”
Demand
The Public Prosecution Service demanded a six and a half year prison sentence against the 23-year-old man from Spijkenisse, who is suspected of extortion and theft resulting in serious bodily harm.
The two co-defendants, suspected of participating in the extortion and theft, face demands for five years in prison.
The court will rule in two weeks.