A major cross-border investigation has led to the dismantling of an international car theft ring operating in Carma police zone, authorities announced this week.
The gang is suspected of stealing rare and high-value vintage vehicles across Limburg and beyond, targeting collectors and enthusiasts who often parked prized cars near their homes.
Investigators say five suspects from Belgium and Netherlands were arrested following simultaneous raids last week. The suspects are believed to be linked to at least eleven confirmed thefts.
Police described the group as highly organised, mobile and technically equipped, using electronic devices to bypass modern vehicle security systems. The case highlights a growing trend of criminals exploiting keyless entry technology to steal luxury automobiles within minutes.
The investigation began in July 2025 after a vintage car disappeared from a quiet residential street in Genk. The owner had parked the vehicle on Dieplaan, only to discover it gone shortly afterward.
An Apple AirTag hidden inside the car allowed authorities to track the vehicle to Riemst. By the time officers located it, the licence plates had already been removed, a common tactic used to obscure identification.
From that moment, detectives began piecing together a broader pattern. Surveillance footage, telecom data and cross-border cooperation revealed a network of suspects moving between Maasmechelen, Lanaken and Bilzen, as well as contacts abroad.
Authorities believe the gang operated across Germany and Luxembourg, scouting high-value collector cars at exhibitions, garages and private residences. Once identified, vehicles were allegedly stolen to order or quickly resold.
Their targets included classic sports and heritage models from Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Fiat, particularly limited-edition Fiat 500 Abarth variants. Some vehicles were valued at up to €150,000.
“These are not opportunistic thefts,” a police spokesperson said. “The suspects selected specific models and came prepared with specialist tools. They knew exactly what they were looking for.”
On Tuesday, 10 February, officers executed six coordinated searches across Belgium and the Netherlands. Local police units worked alongside federal services to strike several addresses at once, aiming to prevent suspects from warning each other.
During the raids, police arrested five individuals and seized equipment that investigators say confirms the group’s professional approach. Officers confiscated GPS trackers, signal jammers and electronic devices designed to unlock and start keyless vehicles.
Luxury goods believed to have been purchased with proceeds from the thefts were also recovered. In the Netherlands, officers found a vehicle allegedly used to transport stolen cars across borders.
Four suspects appeared before an investigating judge. Three were ordered into pre-trial detention, while a fourth was released under strict conditions. Extradition proceedings have begun for the fifth suspect arrested abroad.
Authorities say the suspects are being questioned about additional unsolved thefts, and more victims could yet be identified. Detectives are examining financial records and communication devices to map the full extent of the network.
The Limburg public prosecutor’s office confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing. Further arrests have not been ruled out as evidence is analysed.
Classic car owners across the region have welcomed the arrests, saying the thefts had shaken a tight-knit collector community. Many now use tracking devices and extra locks to protect their vehicles.
Police are urging owners of valuable or vintage cars to increase security, including installing trackers, storing vehicles in secured garages and avoiding predictable parking habits.
“This case shows that organised crime groups are targeting heritage vehicles just as much as modern luxury cars,” the spokesperson added. “We encourage owners to stay vigilant.”
For now, authorities say the dismantling of the ring sends a strong message to cross-border criminals: coordinated policing can match their mobility and tactics, even when operations span several countries.
