News report | 26-01-2026 | 16:58
He thought he had a date with someone named Sarah on March 14, 2025, at a castle in Hemmen. Instead, men wearing balaclavas and armed appeared. The victim was kidnapped in his own car, forced to withdraw money, and then compelled to increase his payment limit. The suspects stole over 30,000 euros from him in total. A 23-year-old suspect from the municipality of Neder-Betuwe faced a prison sentence of 48 months (8 months conditional) today in the Arnhem court. The Public Prosecution Service demanded 18 months of juvenile detention (6 months conditional) for an 18-year-old co-defendant from the same municipality. Two minor suspects will appear in court tomorrow.
The public prosecutor: “The suspects, purely for their own gain, put the victim in a terrible, frightening situation. They deprived him of his freedom for 15 hours. Firearms were pointed at him. These events have been particularly traumatic for the victim. These very serious consequences are attributable to these suspects. In my opinion, these are exceptionally serious criminal offenses.”
The suspects forced the victim to sit in the back of his own car. During the drive, he was blindfolded and tied up with zip ties. When the suspects discovered that the victims payment limit was set at a maximum of 1000 euros, one of them said frustrated: “That means a night with us.” The victim was held overnight in the house. The next day, the suspects withdrew the remaining money and then released the victim. The complainant gave a detailed statement. The Public Prosecution Service considers the complainants statement very reliable. It aligns with found evidence including forensic research, footage, and investigation at the house where a firearm was found.
According to the Public Prosecution Service, the 23-year-old had an initiating and leading role in the whole. He had debts to pay off. Stealing money by making the complainant withdraw it was his intention. The kidnapping was actually not planned, he stated. The 18-year-old claimed to have participated under duress from the 23-year-old. He said he was afraid of him. However, research shows that prior to the crime he had contact with the 23-year-old about the amounts to withdraw and withdrawal locations. He received 6000 euros of the 30,000 euros. The duress he mentioned is not evident from the investigation.
The 23-year-old was still on probation for violent offenses. For the 18-year-old, probation advised applying juvenile criminal law due to his personal circumstances. The public prosecutor follows this advice: “The goal of juvenile criminal law is not only punishment but also rehabilitation, promoting development, and preventing recurrence.”
Two minors who were also involved and/or present at the kidnapping will appear in court on Tuesday.