A 34-year-old man, sentenced to 16 years in prison for a murder in Albufeira, Algarve, and suspected of other violent crimes, was detained in Alicante, Spain, the Judicial Police (PJ) reported this Friday, September 19, in a statement issued to Notícias ao Minuto.
Investigators revealed that the man, a British national, is the “presumed perpetrator of a robbery at a jeweller’s in Esposende, Braga district, using a firearm on January 21 of this year.” He was detained by the Guardia Civil.
In addition to being suspected of robbery, he was under a European arrest warrant, issued by the Portimão Court, due to his conviction for qualified homicide, which took place on the night of April 25, 2022, when he was with the victim at a hotel in Albufeira.
Crime Record with Multiple Offenses
Following the Esposende robbery, the PJ undertook investigative efforts, along with diplomatic entities, the Guardia Civil, and the UK’s National Crime Agency, which not only identified the perpetrator but also linked him to other crimes involving car theft, document forgery, and another robbery at a jeweller’s, also in Esposende, later on April 14 of this year.
In collaboration with Spanish and British authorities, it was possible to locate the criminal in Alicante.
The PJ highlighted that the murderer has an “extensive criminal record for violent crimes,” which has received significant media attention in the UK.
The British national will now be extradited to Portugal, where he will serve his sentence for the 2022 murder and face trial for the other crimes committed on Portuguese soil.
Englishman Stabbed to Death
The murder for which the Briton was sentenced dates back to the night of April 25, 2022. At that time, Correio da Manhã reported that the victim, also English, aged between 25 and 30, was fatally stabbed multiple times in a tourist apartment complex in Albufeira.
The suspect, now convicted, was found at the scene by authorities “with blood and a knife in his hands,” appearing to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The two were acquaintances spending their vacation in the Algarve. The crime allegedly occurred during a disagreement following a “night of fun” in Albufeira.
Armed Robbery
The robbery on January 21 of this year at a jeweller’s in Esposende was reportedly committed by a duo and at gunpoint, as reported at the time.
The criminals used a hammer and a firearm to commit the crime, predominantly stealing watches, and then fled in a car at high speed.
Despite having the hoods of their jackets concealing their faces, authorities managed to identify one as the suspect now detained.
