The 35-year-old fugitive Andy De Wolf, convicted of violent and sexual offences, has been arrested by the police in Grobbendonk, according to a report by the federal police.
Since late May, De Wolf has been listed on Belgium’s Most Wanted list, featuring the nation’s most sought-after criminals.
On 7 April, he was sentenced in Antwerp to eight years in prison and ten years of post-release supervision for sexual crimes, including rape. This involved psychological, physical, and sexual violence against multiple victims, including a minor.
Following the verdict, De Wolf went on the run, prompting the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office to launch an immediate search.
Local police zone Minos initially took charge of the investigation, later joined by the federal police’s Fugitive Active Search Team (FAST). At the end of May, De Wolf was added to Belgium’s Most Wanted list.
The increased attention led to several tips and ultimately the discovery of De Wolf’s hideout in Grobbendonk. He was staying with acquaintances, according to the police.
Serial rapist
De Wolf's former partner had gone to the police in 2021 to report her boyfriend's abuse. The woman explained that she was constantly monitored, humiliated and beaten during her three-year relationship. Even when she was pregnant, she was beaten, Flemish media HLN and Het Nieuwsblad, reported.
The woman stated that De Wolf was dominant and isolated her from friends and family. He even beat her when she was heavily pregnant, and forced her to have sex with other men. One of those men was his uncle (51), who was also brought to trial. The uncle confessed and was sentenced to 30 months in prison with probation.
During their investigation, the investigators also decided to question other ex-partners of De Wolf. Seven of them said that there was also abuse, including rape, in their relationship, with the defendant choosing women with low self-esteem for manipulation. This led the Public Prosecution Service to therefore describe De Wolf as "a wolf in sheepskin".
