Thieves targeting jewelry attack TEFAF Maastricht fair

Dutch police shown on scene at TEFAF Maastricht following an attempt by thieves to steal jewelry from a display case at the international art and antiques fair on June 28. Image: Politie

MAASTRICHT, The Netherlands – Thieves entered the TEFAF Maastricht venue and attempted to steal jewelry from an exhibitors’ stand by smashing a display case with a hammer. The fair was temporarily closed on the morning of June 28 to deal with the attack, but has now reopened.

In a statement, the local police said four men took part in the armed robbery but its subsequent investigation led to two arrests.

Several roads were closed and the police are continuing their investigation.

In a statement, TEFAF Maastricht organizers said: “At approximately 11:30 am, TEFAF Maastricht was evacuated due to an incident within the fair. The fair’s security teams worked quickly to disarm an offender and Dutch police were on site within minutes. Nobody was injured during the incident.”

It added: “The fair’s stringent safety procedures were followed and all visitors were successfully evacuated. TEFAF has robust procedures in the event of a security breach. These were precisely followed, and all visitors, exhibitors and staff were safely evacuated. The fair has now reopened. TEFAF and the MECC are now working with the authorities – no further statement will be made.”

Footage of the theft and the damage caused have been posted online by a number of people who were at the fair.

TEFAF Maastricht is due to run until June 30.

Article courtesy of Antiques Trade Gazette.