A man caused chaos in the Brussels suburb of Laken on Monday night, damaging 20 vehicles and injuring seven police officers as he attempted to evade capture.
Police were first alerted to a fight in a café on Hooba De Strooperlaan around 19:00, according to Brussels public prosecutor spokesperson Laura Demullier. When officers approached one of the individuals involved, he fled the scene in a car and deliberately drove into an officer, injuring him.
The suspect then led police on a dangerous pursuit. “During the chase, the man again intentionally drove towards officers, who narrowly avoided being struck,” said Demullier.
In his attempt to escape, the man also damaged approximately 20 vehicles, ran red lights, and drove the wrong way down a one-way street.
He was eventually apprehended but violently resisted arrest, injuring six more officers in the process. “In total, seven police officers were injured. Some are unable to work for periods ranging from three to six days,” Demullier stated.
The suspect now faces charges including wilful obstruction of traffic, attempted manslaughter, armed resistance to authority, and public intoxication. He has been placed at the disposal of the public prosecutor’s office.
