Authorities have successfully recovered two stolen diamonds from the infamous TEFAF Maastricht heist in 2022, where armed men made off with jewelry worth millions of dollars in front of shocked witnesses. The brazen daytime robbery raised concerns about security at the prestigious art fair known for its luxurious offerings.
According to the Netherlands Times, one diamond was found in Israel, while the other was located in Hong Kong. The suspects, believed to be part of a Balkan gang connected to the Pink Panthers, are from Nis, Serbia. Despite the recovery of the diamonds, five men involved in the theft are still on the run. The authorities have offered a reward of €500,000 for any information leading to their capture.
The thieves, who are also wanted for similar crimes in Switzerland and the Czech Republic, entered TEFAF Maastricht around 11:30 a.m. in June 2022. Video footage circulating on social media shows the dramatic confrontation between the robbers and security officers as they smashed their way through the fair and escaped through the restaurant.
Although two men were initially arrested in connection with the heist, they were later released as the police continue their investigation. The complexity of the case, involving multiple countries and criminal networks, has slowed down the process. Authorities remain determined to apprehend all those involved in the high-profile theft and bring them to justice.
