News report | 20-01-2026 | 12:37

In the spring of 2024, a wave of home burglaries by three Romanians and one Serbian (ages 32, 37, 38, 44), all without a fixed residence or stay in the Netherlands, came to an end. Their sole goal was to steal. The four committed 21 home burglaries and four attempts. Today they stood trial in Roermond. The Public Prosecution Service Limburg (OM) demands long prison sentences. 

The four suspects who stood trial today committed the burglaries from January through April 2024 in the North and Central Limburg region. These suspects have criminal records in multiple countries for similar offenses.

Method

During the wave of burglaries, the police noticed a pattern. Certain cars and people were seen in a street. Descriptions matched and doors and/or windows were forced open. The suspects often acted in broad daylight or early evening and targeted homes where no one was present. A recurring detail is that the perpetrators consistently targeted jewelry. The public prosecutor at the hearing said: It is quite possible that more persons belonged to the perpetrator group. However, at some point in the criminal investigation, it was decided to focus on the four suspects. Only in this way could this extensive case proceed swiftly through the criminal justice chain.

Prime example of mobile banditry

The investigation included reviewing camera footage, comparing witness observations, and using forensic evidence. The latter ultimately yielded several DNA matches. According to the OM, this concerns a group that has been structurally and organizedly involved in committing home burglaries in the region. A prime example of mobile banditry, a form of internationally organized crime. 

Sentencing demands

According to the OM, this type of crime must be punished severely. It is high-impact crime that seriously affects citizens sense of safety and well-being and causes unrest in residential neighborhoods. Especially with home burglaries, there is the unsettling feeling experienced by victims themselves. The feeling that strangers have been in your house, often even searching your bedroom. You cant get closer to peoples private sphere, the prosecutor explained. Apart from the material damage and the consequences society as a whole suffers due to mobile banditry. All this makes this form of crime unacceptable and, in our opinion, only unconditional prison sentences are appropriate. The OM demands prison sentences of four and a half and five and a half years for two of these suspects (37, 44). The two other cases were adjourned by the court today and will be handled later. 

The court will give its verdict on February 17 in the case.