Shivangi Sinha
Diamond heists have long captured the imagination with their high-stakes planning, dramatic chases, and elusive criminals. Netflix’s ‘Stolen: Heist of the Century’ dives into the 2003 Antwerp Diamond Heist, where thieves broke into the city’s Diamond Center vault and escaped with over $100 million worth of gems, cash, and jewelry. Agim De Bruycker, who served as the Commander of the Diamond Squad for Belgium’s Federal Police, shared his experience investigating the infamous case and spoke about the extensive efforts to track down those responsible for one of history’s most audacious robberies.
Agim De Bruycker Led His Team While Tracking Down the Diamond Heist Robbers
Agim De Bruycker’s path to policing wasn’t shaped by privilege or wealth. Raised in a modest household, he credits his mother for encouraging him to build a stable and respectable career in law enforcement. That encouragement led him to the Belgian Federal Police, where he eventually became based out of Antwerp, which is home to one of the most tightly secured diamond districts in the world. In 2000, he was appointed as the Commander of the elite Diamond Squad, a role that came with immense pressure and responsibility. De Bruycker was at the helm in 2003 when news broke of one of the Antwerp Diamond Heists. The criminals had managed to bypass a web of cutting-edge security systems and steal an estimated $100 million in gems, gold, and other valuables.
However, their mistake later occurred when they disposed of incriminating evidence in the wrong place. De Bruycker and his team used trash left behind by the robbers to trace them back to the so-called School of Turin. Their efforts eventually led to the arrest of Leonardo Notarbartolo, who had left for Italy but came back to get rid of his outstanding debts. Notarbartolo has since claimed that he and his crew entered the vault from the first floor and that a mysterious “mastermind” was behind the job. De Bruycker, however, firmly refutes both points. Based on the evidence, he believes the group entered through the basement and that there was no unknown orchestrator. He maintains that Leonardo likely kept the majority of the loot for himself.
Agim De Bruycker is Enjoying His Time Back in College Today
Following his tenure with the Diamond Squad, Agim De Bruycker continued to be involved in several high-profile investigations that kept him in the spotlight. Among his notable cases was the 2013 multi-million dollar heist at the Brussels airport, where diamonds were stolen straight from the tarmac in a matter of minutes. In 2012, he also investigated a parcel of hundreds of undisclosed synthetic diamonds that unexpectedly surfaced at the International Gemological Institute in Antwerp. He was also involved in probing the HSBC scandal involving money laundering and tax evasion, which demonstrated his expertise in financial and diamond-related crimes.
However, De Bruycker’s run with law enforcement did not remain unblemished. In 2015, he was arrested for the first time on suspicion of fraud and money laundering. He was temporarily dismissed from his position as commissioner of the Antwerp Federal Judicial Police and head of the Diamond Squad after diamonds worth millions were recovered from his home. De Bruycker claimed he was safeguarding the gems as part of a negotiation in an active investigation, but the claim was rejected. He spent three months in custody. The following year, in 2016, he was arrested again, this time on charges of document falsification and further money laundering, and served a custodial sentence.
Since 2017, De Bruycker has shifted away from policing. He worked as a consultant for various film projects, including serving as an advisor on the 2023 production ‘Tenerife.’ He also held a position as Technical Advisor for passenger cars at Mercedes-Benz Mechelen until 2023. Academically, he completed a program with the United Nations in 2009, qualifying as a Diamond Expert specializing in compliance with international embargoes. In a notable shift in career direction, De Bruycker reentered academia in September 2024, enrolling in a Biology Teacher Training program at Campussen Mechelen Thomas More.
Agim De Bruycker is a Loving and Devoted Father to His Son
Agim De Bruycker is a man of many talents and diverse interests. He currently appears in the short film ‘Den of Thieves: Pantera,’ where he brings his real-life experiences to the screen through his character. Based in Mechelen, Belgium, De Bruycker is single and has a young son whom he dotes upon. He enjoys traveling, skiing, and spending time outdoors. He is particularly fond of Halloween, which he celebrates with enthusiasm alongside his child.
A present and devoted father, De Bruycker prioritizes quality time with his son despite the demands of his past career. In recent years, he has opened up about seeking a second chance in life. He’s candid about the mistakes he has made and expresses a genuine desire to make things right, not just for himself but for those he cares about. However, he has also acknowledged that redemption is not guaranteed and that some opportunities may never come again.
Read More: Leonardo Notarbartolo: Where is Antwerp Diamond Heist Leader Now?
