LIMBURG, BELGIUM – A 33-year-old man from As has been sentenced to 24 months in prison and fined €400 for his role in a burglary at a bakery in Houthalen-Helchteren on New Year’s Eve.
His accomplice, a 38-year-old man from Houthalen-Helchteren, received a 240-hour community service sentence, with a substitute sentence of 22 months in prison should he fail to complete the service.
The duo targeted the bakery in the Limburg Province town during the festive period, making off with a safe containing €5,700, a cash register holding €200, and keys to an electric gate and a delivery van.
Their crime was uncovered after the cracked safe was found in a garage in Genk. The garage owner, who had unknowingly harbored the stolen safe, reported its presence to authorities after growing suspicious.
She informed investigators that the man from As had stayed at her residence between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, further raising her doubts about his involvement.
Police surveillance footage later confirmed that two individuals had entered the garage using a wheelbarrow covered with a cloth, an act that pointed to an attempt to conceal the stolen item.
Following their arrest, both men admitted their roles in the burglary. Their criminal records further painted a picture of repeated offenses.
The 33-year-old burglar from As had previously been sentenced to one year in prison for drunk driving, while his 38-year-old accomplice had served a 3.5-year prison term in 2014 for theft with violence.
During sentencing, the court noted that neither man had demonstrated a capacity to learn from past convictions.
However, in a surprising move, the court granted the older suspect a community service sentence despite his prior violent criminal record. His sentence will be converted into a 22-month prison term if he fails to complete the required hours.
The case serves as another example of persistent criminal behavior and the challenge of rehabilitation for repeat offenders.
Law enforcement authorities in Limburg have emphasized the importance of vigilance and community awareness in preventing such crimes, urging residents to report suspicious activities to help curb burglaries and other theft-related incidents.
While the 33-year-old will serve time behind bars, the community service sentence for his accomplice has raised questions about the judicial system’s approach to habitual offenders.
The court’s decision reflects a balance between punitive measures and an attempt to rehabilitate, but it also underscores the risks of recidivism.
The bakery owners have since taken measures to enhance security at their business, hoping to prevent future break-ins.
Meanwhile, police continue to monitor known offenders in the area to deter similar crimes, reinforcing their commitment to public safety and justice in Limburg.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
