Leuven Police Catch Youths with Stolen Bike and Scooter

Leuven police apprehended three minors from Brussels on Friday evening after a chase on and around the Geldenaaksevest, with the arrest made possible thanks to the swift assistance of bystanders. The youths were in possession of an electric bicycle and an electric scooter, along with cannabis and bank cards belonging to a resident of Rotselaar.

The Incident

The trio was spotted around 18:30 by a police patrol, according to VRT NWS. One youth was sitting on the back of the electric bike while another was being pulled along on the scooter. When the youths noticed the officers wanted to check them, they fled in different directions—one on foot, one with the bike, and one with the scooter.

Multiple officers launched the pursuit, but they also received crucial help from several bystanders who witnessed the chase. “An elderly man even used his own bike to block the passage for one of the youths,” said Marc Vranckx, spokesperson for Leuven police, as reported by HLN.

“After a cat-and-mouse game, police were able to pick up the 3 youths and bring them to the police station,” Vranckx added.

Items Found on the Suspects

Upon arrest, officers discovered a small amount of cannabis on two of the minors. Police also found several bank cards in the name of a resident from Rotselaar, which the youths could not explain. The card owner has since been contacted by police.

The owners of the electric bike and scooter remain unknown, and police are actively seeking them. Anyone who believes their bike or scooter may have been stolen is urged to contact Leuven police, as Leuven Actueel reported.

Juvenile Justice Involvement

One of the three minors was already under the supervision of a Brussels youth judge, indicating prior involvement with the juvenile justice system. The Brussels prosecutor’s office has been informed of the facts, which is standard procedure for cases involving minors.

Broader Context: Bike Theft in Leuven

The incident highlights a persistent problem in Leuven, a university city with a very high number of bicycles. According to a 2018 VRT NWS report, 1,713 bikes were stolen in Leuven in 2017, with 20 bike thieves caught red-handed and 41 more identified through investigation. The problem remains significant, with approximately 1,750 theft reports per year, according to Leuven police.

The city has implemented measures such as bike engraving and a bicycle central (fietscentrale) to help return stolen bikes to their owners. However, the incident also points to a pattern of youth from Brussels committing thefts in neighboring cities.

Crime Statistics in Leuven

Leuven has the second-highest crime rate in Flanders, with 12.73 registered crimes per 100 inhabitants in 2025, well above the Flemish average of 6.6, according to recent statistics reported by Leuven Actueel. Theft and extortion is the number one crime category in the province of Vlaams-Brabant, with 18,138 registered cases in 2025.

However, police spokesperson Marc Vranckx cautioned that these figures should be taken with a grain of salt, as active policing leads to more registrations. “Leuven is a student and entertainment city with occasional nuisance but not major crime,” he noted.

Community Cooperation

The arrest stands out for the active role played by bystanders in assisting police. Beyond the elderly man who blocked a fleeing youth with his own bicycle, several other citizens helped officers during the pursuit. This level of public cooperation demonstrates strong community-police relations in Leuven and proved decisive in apprehending all three suspects.

What’s Next

Police are continuing their search for the owners of the electric bike and scooter. Anyone who recognizes the recovered items or believes their property may have been stolen is encouraged to contact Leuven police. The three minors will face proceedings through the juvenile justice system, with the Brussels prosecutor’s office overseeing the case.

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of public-police cooperation and the ongoing challenges of bike theft in the university city. As police continue to tackle this persistent issue, residents are reminded to secure their bicycles and report any suspicious activity.