Two Albanian men, aged 29 and 36, were rescued by local authorities after their attempt to flee the scene of a burglary in Puurs-Sint-Amands, Antwerp, went awry, leaving them trapped in a marshy forest.
The duo, who had broken into a home on Donkstraat, found themselves in a sticky situation after a security alarm triggered an alert to local police.
The incident unfolded in the early hours of the morning when the two burglars attempted to enter a residence in the Rivierenland area. However, their plans were quickly thwarted when the alarm went off, forcing them to make a hasty retreat.
A nearby resident, having witnessed the suspects fleeing through his garden, promptly notified the authorities.
Upon receiving the call, the police immediately dispatched units to the scene, setting off a coordinated search effort. To assist in locating the suspects, a drone team was deployed, scanning the area from the air.
The search intensified when the two burglars were spotted in a nearby nature reserve, running across a railway line.
However, their escape took an unexpected turn as they ventured into a boggy forest on the other side. The terrain proved treacherous, and the suspects soon found themselves stuck in thick, muddy water.
“They got stuck and sank to their chest,” said police spokesperson Elke Wauters. The two men, now immobilized in the swamp, struggled to free themselves. Despite their attempts to cling to nearby bushes, they were unable to escape the deep, marshy bog.
As the situation grew more dire, the authorities took swift action to rescue the suspects. Police inspectors waded into the bog to pull the men to safety.
According to Wauters, the burglars were “unruly” during the rescue but ultimately gave in to the authorities’ efforts. Once rescued, they were provided with dry clothes before being taken into custody.
The two men were later arraigned before the investigating judge, facing charges of breaking and entering.
They have since been arrested, and the case is now under further investigation. The incident serves as a reminder of the often unpredictable outcomes of criminal activity, especially when fleeing from law enforcement.
Local residents and authorities in Puurs-Sint-Amands have praised the police for their quick response, which not only led to the apprehension of the suspects but also ensured their safe rescue from a potentially dangerous situation.
