Man Jailed for Trying to Steal Belgian Police Officer’s Wallet

A man has been sentenced to 10 months in prison after attempting to steal the wallet of an undercover police officer near Ghent-Sint-Pieters railway station in Belgium.

The incident happened on October 16 of the previous year, when the suspect was searching for opportunities to steal from people and vehicles in the area. The case was heard by a court in Ghent, where the judge handed down the prison sentence.

Suspect Targeted Cars Near Ghent Station

According to the case details, the man was walking near Ghent-Sint-Pieters station when he began trying the doors of several parked cars, hoping to find one that had been left unlocked.

After failing to find an open vehicle, he continued through the area. He had also stolen from another person just minutes earlier, according to the prosecution.

An undercover police officer was monitoring the suspect’s movements and followed him as he approached the entrance of a residential building.

Man Tried to Steal an Undercover Officer’s Wallet

The suspect initially approached the officer, who was wearing civilian clothes, and began speaking to him in a friendly manner.

However, the situation changed when the man suddenly tried to take the wallet from the officer’s inside pocket.

The officer reacted by drawing his weapon, identifying himself as a police officer and arresting the suspect.

Prosecutors highlighted the seriousness of the incident, noting that the man was carrying a knife and had a previous criminal record.

Court Hands Down 10-Month Prison Sentence

During the proceedings, the prosecution pointed to the suspect’s previous conviction, which had resulted in a 38-month prison sentence.

The judge ultimately sentenced the man to an additional 10 months in prison for the attempted theft.

The case highlights the criminal consequences of theft and attempted theft in Belgium, particularly when an incident involves a weapon and a repeat offender.