Last month police in the Netherlands detained a suspect in connection with the abduction of a 16-year-old boy in Kessel-Lo, near Leuven (Flemish Brabant) in October 2022. The suspect is a 23-year-old Dutch man. After the questioning the suspect was released on bail awaiting his transfer to Belgium for questioning by detectives here.
Breakthrough in the investigation into the kidnapping of a 16-year-old boy from Kessel-Lo
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On the early evening of 28 October 2022, a then 16-year-old boy was abductied on the Eénmeilaan in Kessel-Lo. The boy was forced to get into a car. It is likely that those involved in the abduction (more than one person was involved) were dealing cocaine. Detectives also believe that the victim was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The abductors’ vehicle drove towards the motorway and the victim’s mobile phone was thrown out of the window. The teenager was robbed of his cash and other valuables and beaten up. He sustained facial injuries and concussion.
The 16-year-old Fleming was driven to The Netherlands before being released hours later in Utrecht with no money and no mobile phone. A passer-by helped enable the boy to inform his family of his plight.
The Leuven Federal Judicial Police have worked closely with their Dutch colleagues in an effort to trace the abductors. On 19 March a property was searched in the city of Amersfoort and incriminating evidence was found. A 23-year-old Dutch man was arrested on 20 March. The Belgian authorities have asked their Dutch colleagues for his transfer to Belgium. The procedure to ensure the suspect’s transfer is still ongoing.