A movie-worthy jewel heist, considered one of the biggest diamond thefts in history, took place on February 18, 2013, on the tarmac of Brussels Airport in Zaventem. At around 7:47 p.m., a black Mercedes van and a black Audi station wagon broke through the airport fence. The two vehicles, each with four masked occupants in police uniforms, drove with their blue lights flashing directly toward the aircraft of the Swiss airline Helvetic. The plane was scheduled to fly from Brussels to Zurich. On board were to be rough diamonds worth 37 million euros, which the security company Brinks was to transport from its van to the aircraft. But this did not happen because the two vehicles stopped them. Upon arriving at the aircraft and transporter, the eight men immediately pulled out their machine guns and threatened the two security guards, the pilot, and the co-pilot. They grabbed the valuable cargo, which was packed in 120 packages, and sped off into the darkness. The entire heist took less than five minutes. Everything seemed to have been meticulously planned. The perpetrators were clearly professionals who knew that diamonds were regularly flown from Antwerp, the world’s most important diamond exchange, to Zurich via Brussels-Zaventem Airport. They had previously cut a hole in the airport fence between two construction sites and, after the spectacular robbery, disposed of the two cars, which had been burned out, not far from the small town of Zellik. After one of the world’s biggest diamond thefts, in which no one was injured, the manhunt was in full swing. Thanks to intensive cooperation between the Swiss, French, and Luxembourg authorities, 31 suspects were arrested after just three months. Twenty-four people were arrested in Belgium, six in Switzerland, and one in France. The latter is considered one of the masterminds behind the million-dollar heist. The police were able to recover part of the loot during raids in the three countries. All 31 suspects were already known to the police.
By Isabella Mueller
Welcome to my journey through creativity and discovery! My name is Isabella Mueller, and I invite you to explore the fascinating creative universes I create through my blogs. Since 2020, I have been dedicating my passion to telling captivating stories that are mysterious, historical, and emotional. My goal is not only to entertain, but also to inspire reflection and awaken the spirit of discovery in each of us. At isabellas.blog, the suspense of crime stories is combined with exciting travel tips. Imagine wandering through the picturesque streets of a new city, uncovering dark secrets hidden in the shadows of its history. Every piece on my blog is designed to make the heart of every crime fiction fan beat faster while sparking curiosity about unknown places. Here, you are invited to experience the thrill of the unknown and the beauty of our world—a perfect combination for all adventure seekers! My second blog, akteq.com, is all about true, unsolved crime stories. Under the motto “akteQ: Cold Case Stories,” I reveal the eerie and often tragic stories behind unsolved cases. Together, we can explore the mysteries of the past and delve deep into the human psyche. What really happened? Who were the people behind these mysterious events? In this blog, I invite you to ask questions and find the answers that often remain hidden in the dark. You can find another exciting chapter in my blogging career at thecastles.org. Here, I embark on an enchanting journey through the history of castles and palaces. Pause for a moment as you discover the stories hidden within the walls of these ancient structures. “Explore the enchantment, discover the history – your journey begins at thecastles.org!” These words are more than just a slogan; they are an invitation to anyone who wants to combine history and magic. Be inspired by the impressive stories and the fascination of bygone eras! But that's not all! At kripo.org, you'll find a comprehensive online magazine for real criminal cases. Immerse yourself in the world of crime, learn about the real stories behind the headlines and the people who are involved in solving them. With criminal.energy, I take you on a journey through the gripping stories of true crimes in which villains are hunted, caught, and convicted. The search for justice and the confrontation with the unknown are at the center of it all. TrueCrime Blog 187.news takes you into the depths of crime. And for those who want to travel the world, wanderlust.plus offers the opportunity to explore the world, one adventure at a time. It's all about the love of exploration and the joy of discovering new cultures and landscapes. Finally, truecrime.ch invites you to discover the dark side of Switzerland and Europe: true crimes, true stories. Let's discover together the stories that shape the world around us. I look forward to accompanying you on this exciting journey and hope you will share many unforgettable moments with me!