Thieves use a sledgehammer to smash a display case before making off with jewellery in Holland

Brazen thieves wielding guns used a sledgehammer to smash a display case before running off with jewellery in front of shocked visitors at an international art fair in the southern Dutch city of Maastricht.

Police said on Tuesday said they have arrested two suspects and are hunting two more following the armed robbery at the prestigious TEFAF fair in a convention centre. 

Video from the scene showed a man wearing a blazer and baseball cap using what appears to be a sledgehammer to smash the glass display case of a jeweller’s stand. 

The man is seen repeatedly hitting the display case as three other men, also dressed in blazers, stand guard around him. 

One member of the public runs towards the men and picks up a vase of flowers and appears to be ready to throw it at the robbers. 

But one of the men standing guard rushes towards the man pointing what appears to be a gun at him. 

The member of the public quickly drops the vase and moves back away from the robbers. The four armed robbers are then seen running off.  

This is a breaking news story, more to follow…