Rhijnauwensingel
On Monday afternoon around 3:45 PM, officers saw a scooter rider without a helmet on the Rhijnauwensingel. They wanted to stop him for a ticket, but the scooter rider fled. The officers initiated a chase. The officers managed to pull the scooter rider off his scooter, after which it became a foot chase, and the scooter rider fled into a garden. During his flight, a firearm fell out of his pocket. The scooter rider, a 20-year-old Rotterdam resident, was arrested. A search was conducted at his home, but no significant findings were made.

Schoonoordstraat
On Monday evening, a threat in Rotterdam-East led to the discovery of a firearm. Around half-past nine in the evening, a man was threatened on Schoonoordstraat. Officers went to the door of the man who allegedly made the threat. In the house, the officers found a firearm. The firearm was seized, and the man, a 56-year-old Rotterdam resident, was arrested.

Strijensestraat
Shortly after midnight, around 12:20 AM, it was observed via camera surveillance that a group of men was behaving suspiciously near a hospitality establishment at the intersection of Beijerlandselaan and Strijensestraat. Officers went to take a look and were immediately approached by one of the men. They had just called the police emergency number because they had seen a boy with a firearm. The men had overpowered the boy and held him until the officers could take over. The firearm was seized. The suspect is a 14-year-old Rotterdam resident. A search was then conducted at the boys home. No other weapons were found.

A firearm doesn’t accidentally end up in your pants
Experience shows that possession of a firearm leads to use. And use is not just shooting. Use also includes showing, threatening, or acquiring a position of power. You dont suddenly have a firearm in your hands, and it doesnt accidentally end up in your pocket. You have to make an effort; look for a supplier, pay money. Its something you deliberately seek out. Something you think about. Why do you have a firearm if it’s illegal? We only see this among people who earn their money through committing crimes. Having a weapon means you are willing to use it; to threaten, or worse, to shoot with it.

Reporting helps
The police are doing everything possible to combat firearm possession, and thereby shooting incidents. Help to prevent firearm possession and thus firearm use. If you know of a weapon, report it. The person who possesses the weapon will not hesitate to use it. Help stop violence, keep crime out of your neighborhood, and call 0900-8844. Prefer to remain anonymous, call 0800-7000 or tip via www.meldmisdaadanoniem.nl.