Dutch authorities recovered a stolen vehicle from the water at Henriëttewaard on Graaf van Solmsweg in Engelen early Wednesday morning, July 29, 2026.
Emergency services and police divers searched the area surrounding the submerged car at 5:30 a. m.
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but found no occupants inside the vehicle.
Police confirmed the car had been stolen from its owner prior to the incident, ruling out driver action by the owner.
Possible Link to Recent Vandalism
Investigators are probing whether the event is tied to recent anti-asylum center vandalism in the region, noting significant coincidences despite taking the case very seriously.
"We are considering various scenarios, including the scenario that the cause may have something to do with the earlier incidents in Engelen," said a police spokesperson.
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"There are quite a few coincidences, we admit that," added the spokesperson.
Forensic teams are conducting detailed examinations, taking witness statements from nearby residents, and reviewing neighborhood CCTV footage to identify potential suspects and track the vehicle's movements.
The investigation follows acts of intimidation over the weekend, where over ten homes, vehicles, and a youth center in Engelen and Bokhoven were defaced with offensive slurs and anti-asylum slogans.
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The targeted residents had expressed support or neutrality toward plans for a local shelter hosting underage asylum seekers, prompting outrage and official criminal complaints from affected citizens.
