Martin Hoos

Martin Hoos
Born	(1952-09-26) 26 September 1952 The Hague, Netherlands
Other names	Beest
Occupations	Debt collector Bodyguard
Era	Vriend Era
Organizations	Toetanchamon Themis
Height	1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)
Criminal charge	Bank robbery
Criminal penalty	Four years' imprisonment
Criminal status	Released
Father	Hendrik Hoos
Relatives	Angelo Hoos (brother)
Family	Hoos family

Martin Hoos (born 26 September 1952), also known as Beest, is a Dutch debt collector and former bodyguard for Toetanchamon and Themis. A member of the Hoos family, he works closely with his brother, Angelo Hoos, and depends on him in daily life. Hoos served a four-year prison term for a bank robbery committed in 2003. He has lived in Vriendendam since 2016 and competes at Vriendendam Racetrack.

Early life

Hoos was born in The Hague and grew up there with his brother, Angelo. His father, Hendrik Hoos, educated him at home. Hendrik began with welding and machinery operation. He taught Martin debt collection before introducing reading and writing. As a result, Martin developed only limited reading and writing ability.

Martin and Angelo did nearly everything together. Martin cannot function independently without Angelo, who directs his decisions and calms or restrains him when necessary. In Angelo's absence, Martin destroys objects in his surroundings until he becomes exhausted or is given sugar. Angelo usually gives him the sugar.

Career

Hoos's first job was as a welder at the Mercedes-Benz assembly plant operated by I.M.A. Malines in Mechelen, Belgium. He rented accommodation near the factory. The factory dismissed him after a few months because he repeatedly welded together parts that were meant to remain separate. After failing to pay his rent, he fought the Belgian debt collectors who confronted him. He then walked from Mechelen to The Hague in eight days and remained unemployed for several years.

At age 23, Hoos decided to join Toetanchamon. Hendrik then recruited Martin and Angelo into the organization and assigned them to debt collection. During collections, Angelo handled communication and made the decisions, while Martin provided physical intimidation. When debtors continued to refuse payment, Martin assaulted or killed them. Angelo allowed Martin to use lethal violence, while Hendrik paid no attention to the brothers' collection methods. In the 1980s, after Eef Hoos became Toetanchamon's operational leader, Martin and Angelo served as his bodyguards. Martin also worked as a bodyguard for Themis.

Bank robbery and imprisonment

At 10:42 on 18 September 2003, Martin and Angelo robbed a small bank in Rijswijk. Bank staff activated a silent alarm, and nobody was injured. Angelo escaped before police arrived. Martin tripped over a low bicycle rack outside the bank during their getaway and was apprehended at 10:51.

On 12 February 2004, Martin initially received a six-year prison sentence. Several members of the Noord family supported an appeal on his behalf. On 8 July 2004, the sentence was reduced to four years on the grounds of his limited capacity to understand that the robbery was wrong. He was released on 18 September 2007, with his pre-trial detention counted toward the sentence. Following his release, Martin returned to Themis alongside Angelo and resumed debt collection. This remained his only role within the organization.

Personal life

In 2016, Martin and Angelo moved together to Vriendendam, where the Themis office had relocated around 2014. Most members of De Vrienden already lived in the city, and the brothers knew many people there. Access to Vriendendam Racetrack and lower living costs available to members of the Hoos family also influenced their move.

Hoos drives a white Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 and competes with it at Vriendendam Racetrack. He replaced the car's original engine with a diesel engine and fitted a 16-speed transmission. Hoos is almost completely deaf as a result of not wearing hearing protection.