A gang of serial bank robbers, including the career criminal Antonio Ferrara, was arrested on Thursday in Eupen by Belgian authorities. The robbers were found with heavy weaponry, including grenades, and around 15 detonators were stashed in a safe house, Brussels Public Prosecutor Julien Moinil stated on Friday.
As previously reported by The Brussels Times, the gang of experienced career criminals were stopped in a violent showdown in Eupen, the capital of Belgium's German-speaking community, on Thursday. During the confrontation, one police officer and one of the robbers was injured. Shots were reportedly exchanged between special units of the French and Belgian police and the fugitives.
French and Belgian investigators had identified an "imminent armed robbery plan" targeting a safe depot in Germany. "Over the past few days, preparations for the attack seemed to intensify," Moinil added during a press conference in Brussels with Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau.
Around 80 members of the Federal Judicial Police and 70 members from special police units were mobilised for the operation. This led to the arrest of the serial robber and prison escapee Antonio Ferrara, sometimes referred to as the 'King of Escapes' (Roi de la belle). Ferrara was spotted early on Thursday morning in a vehicle with accomplices following a foiled robbery attempt in Germany. The group was attempting to reach a hideout in Eupen.
Credit: Belga / Hatim Kaghat
"Thanks to the efficiency of the police and justice, around 12 people were arrested. Six heavy weapons (three M4 assault rifles, two Kalashnikovs, and one HK MP7) were also found in the Eupen hideout," Moinil specified.
Six handguns, four grenades, about 15 detonators, several bulletproof vests, many jerrycans of petrol, and luxury watches worth hundreds of thousands of euros were also seized.
Images posted of the seizure during press conference hosted by the prosecutor's office showed a Hollywood-style arsenal. It even included road spikes that could be used to puncture the wheels of responding law enforcement vehicles, as well as police uniforms and emergency sirens for their vehicles.
"The French investigation started in November 2024, following suspicions of a criminal association involving several individuals, among whom could have been Antonio Ferrara," explained Beccuau.
After contacting Belgian authorities, both jurisdictions decided to collaborate to dismantle the criminal network – a collaboration deemed "exemplary" by the Paris and Brussels prosecutors.
