The Namur public prosecutor’s office requested a six-year prison sentence on Thursday for the alleged leader of a criminal gang involved in several thefts.
On 19 January, three other defendants involved in the series of robberies, simple thefts and attempted thefts committed in 2020 in the Namur area, were sentenced to up to four years in prison.
The gang, which specialised in the theft of electric bicycles - prized for their resale value - scoured Belgium, and more specifically the province of Namur, in late 2020. There were two waves of thefts.
The first took place on 21 and 31 October, when 15 electric bikes and 8 other cycles were stolen. Both sets of cycles were later recovered.
The robberies resumed on the night of 5 to 6 December, when a trailer was stolen. There was also an attempted theft of tools.
Several thefts or attempted thefts of electric bikes on Chaussée de Perwez in Namur were then confirmed, as well as attempts at two shops on Chaussée de Marche, and others in Sprimont, Wavre and Comines-Warneton.
While the accused has not denied the petty thefts, he denies being the leader of a criminal association. He had been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment in France for similar acts committed with the same people and during the same period.
His counsel is asking the court to ensure that the new ruling does not “unnecessarily” increase the sentence already handed down against him.
Judgement is expected on 14 September.
