A BMW that vanishes in the middle of the night in Huy, a police chase that ends in an accident in Liège, and then a hearing before the correctional court years later: the plot feels like a movie, except it’s a real case. At the center is a car stolen in March 2023 and a high-speed chase that resurfaces today in the form of a trial.
In Brief
A BMW was stolen in Huy on the night of March 27, 2023, later spotted in Ciney and then involved in a high-speed chase in Liège that ended in an accident. Two suspects, the driver and the passenger, have been referred to the Huy correctional court, with prison sentences sought against them. The passenger admits the theft but says he has left that life behind and asks the court for mercy. The prosecutor is seeking prison terms, while keeping the possibility of a probationary suspension for the passenger open. A verdict is due on May 28.
Behind this BMW stolen in Huy now lie two defendants—one driver and one passenger—summoned to answer for a night that ended with a tangle of metal in Liège. One of them insists he has drastically changed his life, while the public prosecutor seeks a prison term. The question remains how the judges will weigh this background when a ruling is handed down on May 28.
From Saules Street in Huy to a Liège Crash
It all begins on March 27, 2023, on Saules Street in Huy. In the predawn hours, a resident discovers that her BMW has vanished during the night. She immediately alerts the police, who dispatch a patrol and conduct a neighborhood sweep. Officers do not locate the vehicle that day, and the car remains missing for several days, creating a sense of uncertainty around the nocturnal theft.
The BMW reappears a few days later, spotted in Ciney. But the suspects manage to flee. Their caper continues until April 8, when the Anti-Banditry Police (PAB) spots the stolen vehicle circulating in Liège. A pursuit then unfolds through the streets of the city and ends with an accident that halts the car on the run. The driver manages to escape, while the passenger remains trapped inside and is arrested on the spot. The phone left behind in the getaway vehicle later helps identify him with little difficulty.
At the Huy Court, a Passenger Claims to Have Turned the Page
Three years after the events, the passenger stands before the Huy correctional court. At the hearing, he recounts how that night unfolded and acknowledges the theft of the vehicle, describing it as an opportunistic move. “My friend didn’t have a car, so we stole one on a whim. After several attempts, we finally found a car with the keys left in the glove box,” the defendant says, quoted by Sudinfo. He explains that the two accomplices tried several doors before stumbling upon this BMW whose keys were inside the vehicle.
The defendant also stresses the path he has taken since then. He accepts his criminal past but insists that he has changed. “I regret that period. I had bad influences and made a lot of stupid choices. Today, I’ve changed. I just became a father, I’ve served my community service, and I’m looking for a job.” His lawyer argues for the penalties already handed down in other cases to be consolidated. “The prosecutor believes there’s a risk of reoffending, but I disagree. Yes, he has a troubled past, but he has learned his lesson. His life has evolved. He became a father and wanted to complete his community service quickly to be fully available in the job market,” the attorney emphasizes.
Facing them, the public prosecutor takes a sterner stance. For the driver, who was absent from the session, she seeks a sentence of 18 months in prison. For the present passenger, she requests 15 months, while leaving room for a more lenient measure. “I am not opposed to a probation with specific conditions, given the evolution of his family situation,” notes the magistrate, referring to the defendant’s recent fatherhood and completion of his community service.
The court must now decide between the weight of the facts—car theft followed by a high-speed chase ending in a crash—and the demonstrated desire to move on from this episode by one of the defendants. The ruling has been scheduled for May 28, when the two men will learn whether these prison requests will translate into actual convictions, and under what precise conditions. No details have been provided yet.
Comparison Table
| Defendant | Proposed Sentence | Other Elements |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | 18 months in prison | Absent from the hearing |
| Passenger | 15 months in prison (probation with conditions possible) | Present, speaks of his new life |
Key Points to Remember
- A BMW was stolen on Saules Street in Huy in March 2023.
- After several days of searching, the vehicle was spotted in Ciney and then in Liège.
- A Liège high-speed chase ended in a crash, leading to the passenger’s arrest.
- Two defendants are on trial: the driver (absent) and the passenger (present and remorseful).
- The prosecutor seeks 18 months for the driver and 15 months for the passenger, with potential probation for the latter.
- The verdict is due on May 28.
FAQ
Where was the BMW stolen?
The BMW was stolen on Saules Street in Huy, in the night of March 27, 2023.
How did the chase end?
It ended in a crash in Liège, after which the passenger was arrested and the driver fled.
What is the passenger’s personal situation at the trial?
The passenger acknowledges the facts, says he has changed his life, has become a father, and is seeking employment.
What penalties is the prosecutor seeking?
The prosecutor seeks 18 months in prison for the driver and 15 months for the passenger, with the possibility of a probation with conditions for the latter.
When will the verdict be issued?
The verdict is expected on May 28.
