82-year-old jeweller faces seventh break-in attempt and refuses to back down
Rotterdam, vrijdag, 6 maart 2026.
A jewellery store in rotterdam has been targeted again. This time marks the seventh attempted break-in at the shop. The owner, leo de haas, is 82 years old. He stood his ground despite seeing a large knife. His employee held the door shut. No one was hurt. Police arrested suspects within an hour. De haas says he won’t stop working. He calls the attackers ‘damn kids’. In the 1980s, he survived a violent armed robbery. Blood soaked his clothes then. Still, he keeps running the business today. The latest attack shows how persistent the threats are. Yet his resolve remains unshaken. It’s not just about survival. It’s about defiance in the face of fear.
seventh attempt targets longtime jeweler
On Saturday, March 1, 2026, 82-year-old jeweler Leo de Haas experienced his seventh attempted break-in at his jewelry store Sativar on Duyvesteynstraat in Rotterdam-Overschie [1]. Two youths with covered faces approached the shop, one wielding a large knife measuring forearm length, while the other carried a substantial stone [1]. Despite the threat, De Haas refused to yield, expressing anger and determination to protect what he built through decades of work [1]. His colleague managed to keep the door closed, preventing physical confrontation and averting injury [3].
history of violence and resilience
This recent event echoes a traumatic past. In the 1980s, De Haas endured a violent armed robbery where gunfire left him injured, blood soaking his clothing completely red [1]. That earlier attack resulted in stolen goods valued at more than 10,000 guilders—approximately €4,500—with only partial recovery afterward [1]. Remarkably, even during court proceedings, perpetrators displayed brazen behavior toward him [1]. Since opening a second location on Groene-Hilledijk, six prior attempts occurred there before this seventh targeting at the current site [1].
police respond swiftly after confrontation
Shortly after the failed intrusion, law enforcement acted quickly based on surveillance footage capturing both suspects clearly [3]. Within an hour of the incident, police apprehended those involved near the scene [3]. Authorities confirmed that no injuries occurred during this encounter, classifying it strictly as an attempted burglary thwarted by staff resistance [3]. Detective Chief representatives noted strong visual evidence would support prosecution efforts moving forward [3]. Residents and local officials expressed concern over repeated attacks against a single small business operator known widely for perseverance [4].
defiance fuels continued dedication
Despite enduring seven criminal assaults aimed at his livelihood, De Haas adamantly rejects retirement or surrender [1]. “Stoppen? Nee joh, het blijft een mooi vak,” he stated firmly, emphasizing passion outweighs fear [1]. Known locally for confronting danger directly—even grabbing one assailant previously—he describes such aggression as essential self-defense [1]. Colleagues describe his courage as exceptional yet rooted in deep personal investment in the craft and community presence spanning generations [3]. For now, business continues under heightened awareness but unchanged commitment [1].