The Limburg Federal Judicial Police Service has prevented a kidnapping from happening the US city of Miami. The Limburg Prosecutor’s Office reports that a 19-year-old man from the Limburg town of Maasmechelen was detained on Monday 13 January in connection with the planned kidnapping. At the same time officers from the FBI arrested 4 suspects in Miami. They were allegedly planning a violent kidnapping.
Federal Judicial Police prevents a violent kidnapping in Miami, 19-year-old Maasmechelen man detained
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The arrests were made thanks to a joint operation involving officers from the FBI and the Federal Judicial Police. The 19-year-old man detained in Maasmechelen has since been formally arrested and is currently on remand.
The 4 suspects arrested in the United States were allegedly on their way to an address in Miami to carry out a kidnaping. They allegedly intended to demand a ransom for their intended victim’s release. 2 firearms were found in their vehicle.
The 4 are believed to have been in touch with the man that has been arrested in Limburg via the messaging service Telegram. The precise role he played in the kidnapping plot is being further investigated by the Limburg Federal Judicial Police.
Disturbing development
According to the Public Prosecutor's Office the FBI contacted The Federal Judicial Police in connection with the case. The Limburg Public Prosecutor’s says that fact that a young man from Maasmechelen was in digital contact with armed suspects in Miami is disturbing.
“Prosecutors and police see that more and more crimes are being committed with the help of digital communication tools. This often serves to make offenders feel untouchable”, says Anna Degraen of the Limburg Public Prosecutor's Office told VRT News.
“Sometimes people think they are acting anonymously. However, that is definitely not the case. Detectives have become increasingly specialised in tracking down criminals that use platforms such as Telegram. They believe that the part they play in the offences remains under the radar and if they are caught the punishment, they will be given will be less severe. However, Police and prosecutors wish to stress that committing criminal offences in using digital means can result in prosecution and stiff sentences”.