A 41-year-old man from Kortemark has been arrested over a failed armed robbery at a Bruges jewellery store, West Flanders Prosecutor’s Office, Bruges division has confirmed.
The attempted theft targeting the Versato jewellery store occurred around 13:00 on Saturday in the Zuidzandstraat, a central area of Bruges.
The suspect, who travelled on an electric scooter, brandished a firearm and demanded the staff member to hand over expensive jewellery. However, the victim managed to force the suspect out of the store without surrendering any items. No injuries were reported during this incident.
Initially, the robber managed to flee the scene but was apprehended later that evening in Bruges. The suspect from Kortemark was then presented to the investigating judge of the Bruges division of the West Flanders Prosecutor’s Office.
On Sunday, the decision was made to detain him on suspicion of an armed extortion attempt and breaching firearms laws. The Bruges Council Chamber will decide on Friday whether the suspect should remain in custody.
