Man with underpants on his head tries to rob Belgian supermarket, then flees in a stolen hearse

A 36-year-old man from Braine-l’Alleud, Belgium, attempted to rob a Carrefour Market supermarket during chaotic events on July 13 and 14. The masked man, with his underwear pulled over his face and tattoos hidden under a jumper, threatened a 16-year-old cashier with an electric meat knife, claiming he knew where she resided. Unsuccessful in obtaining money, he fled without taking anything.

Drunk and recently discharged from the hospital, the man had previously violated a court order and sought his partner's residence, where he obtained an electric meat knife. In a bizarre turn of events, he set his clothing ablaze in a hallway, causing a fire alarm to sound and forcing residents to evacuate. The man then broke into parked cars and stole a hearse belonging to a funeral company, which he used to drive to Brussels.

There, he used the stolen bank cards to purchase cigarettes at two petrol stations, both of which had recorded his activities. He subsequently traveled to a district in Brussels where he obtained cocaine. Upon returning to the hearse, he resisted arrest at the Braine-l’Alleud police station, breaking a leg during the process. Currently in custody, the man appeared before the criminal court in Nivelles on October 20, charged with assault, arson, attempted extortion, weapon carrying, cocaine possession, and car theft.

He admitted to most of the charges but claimed to have a dazed state. The court confirmed the dismissal of two suspended sentences totaling 18 months and acknowledged the defendant's pending 40-month sentence. Prosecutors requested an additional 18 months in prison, which his lawyer deemed reasonable. A verdict is expected on November 17.