Young people steal luxury watches during a party at Radja Nainggolan’s Antwerp apartment (Football)

The 35-year-old Radja Nainggolan has been playing in Italy again since January of this year, but the former Antwerp player still has an apartment on the Eilandje in Antwerp. He stays there when he is in Antwerp and there are also many of his personal belongings. In Radja’s absence, the apartment is also occupied by a family member, who also takes care of the professional football player’s children. In the course of February, that relative was home alone. Radja went to Italy with his children, so she invited some friends.

A few days later, the Nainggolan family discovered that several expensive items had been stolen. According to our information, five watches from the luxury brand Rolex, a necklace and cash were involved. Camera footage from the apartment showed that the theft was committed by some guests who were invited to the party when Nainggolan was in Italy. The police were contacted and an investigation into the theft was launched.

Booty still missing

Last Thursday, the detectives raided two young men from Turnhout, a 17-year-old and a 20-year-old. They were both handcuffed and appeared before the juvenile judge and the examining magistrate a day later. According to our information, the minor was placed in a closed institution.

“The adult suspect was arrested by the investigating judge. On Wednesday, his arrest was confirmed by the council chamber,” said Kristof Aerts, spokesperson for the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office. “A judicial investigation into the facts is underway.” The loot from the theft could not be recovered.

Nainggolan declined to comment on news of the theft and arrests on Wednesday. The former Red Devil started working for second division club SPAL in the Italian Serie B at the beginning of this year. In December of last year, the contract between Antwerp and the flamboyant player was dissolved after Radja came into the news more with extra-sporting escapades than with flashes on the Tawny owl.

“Disciplinarily, he is no longer able to live as a top athlete,” said chairman Paul Gheysens. “We don’t have a fight, everything is settled amicably.” At SPAL, Nainggolan played in ten games in recent months, scoring one goal and providing two assists.