Antwerp Diamond Exchange Break In
February 17, 03
A break-in to the basement safes of the Diamond Center building in Antwerp took place over the weekend. According to preliminary reports, the break-in was discovered early this morning as people arrived to work.
The basement safe area has around 125 safes, rented to local diamentaires. An estimated 50 to 70 safes were broken into. There are no details yet on how the robbery was done or the value of the goods taken, however it is widely believed that the perpetrators received help from an insider.
An eyewitness described the scene of the crime as covered with papers and other objects, with many safes open.
Some of the goods in the safes might not have been insured. Antwerp recently suffered from an alleged insurance scam as a prominent diamond insurer kept the premiums to himself, possibly leaving his clients without insurance coverage.