Fatbike theft suspect dies in police custody following Rotterdam arrest

Arrest and fatal incident

An adult man died on Saturday evening shortly after being detained by police on Vaarnerkamp in Rotterdam-Zuid. Officers stopped the man following a report of a stolen fatbike. According to police, officers initiated the check because the man was riding a fatbike matching the report, and they placed him under arrest when he was unable to show identification. Eyewitnesses stated that the man fell from his bicycle around 20:45 following a pursuit.

Video footage reviewed by regional broadcaster Rijnmond shows two officers pushing the man to the ground, followed by arriving reinforcements, while the suspect offered heavy resistance. A police spokesperson stated that the man subsequently became unwell during the arrest, an event not captured on the video footage. Officers attempted resuscitation at the scene, but the man died. Police cordoned off the area with blue screens.

Investigation and community response

The incident drew a large crowd in the neighborhood, where local residents reacted with anger to the arrest and subsequent death. The national criminal investigation department, the Rijksrecherche, has launched an independent inquiry into the death, which is standard procedure when a suspect dies in police custody.

Yes, there is of course a lot of anger. Everyone is on the street and those emotions are understandable. That is precisely why it is important that we conduct a careful investigation. The execution of that investigation is being done by the Rijksrecherche.

Police stated that the identity of the deceased adult male had not yet been determined on Saturday night. Authorities also appealed to members of the public who recorded video of the confrontation to submit their footage directly to investigators rather than circulating it on social media.