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Respects paid to Hague jeweller shot dead in robbery

Dozens of people have been paying their respects to a jeweller in The Hague who was shot dead during a struggle with robbers in his shop.

The death of 47-year-old Ruud Stratmann has shocked the local community around the Beeklaan, where the Lapidee jeweller’s was targeted at about 12.30pm last Wednesday.

Police released the names and photographs of two 19-year-old suspects, Sandro Grigolia and Ziya B., who were initially thought to have fled to Belgium.

B. was arrested on Wednesday morning in The Hague. A cousin earlier told radio station Omroep West that the family had no idea that he was planning the crime.

The jeweller’s body was taken to the shop on Wednesday morning to allow neighbours, customers and fellow shopkeepers to pay their last respects and sign a book of condolence.

Stratmann was taken to hospital following the shooting after police found him still alive but seriously wounded. However, doctors were unable to save him.

The police have been criticised in some quarters over reports that there was a gap of 45 minutes between the shooting and the first officers arriving on the premises.

The killing was condemned in strong terms by The Hague’s mayor, Jozias Van Aartsen. He said: ‘It is appalling that there are people in our society who put the life of a hard-working businessman beneath their own sick greed.’

Shopkeepers in Weimarstraat and Beeklaan say the shooting is the third in the area in two years and have called for a stronger police presence.

Local manager Paul Ganzeboom said: ‘The police are doing a lot already and we are satisfied with that, but we would like to see more contact following this incident.’ 

Source: Omroep West: Afscheid van juwelier Stratmann

Photo by Gerard Stolk