Two men, aged 29 and 36, were arrested this Friday at 14:50 by the Lisbon Metropolitan Command of the Public Security Police (PSP) through the Traffic Division in the parish of Unhos/Apelação, in Loures. They are suspected of vehicle theft and attempting to evade authorities.
The officers were on duty conducting a road inspection operation on Rua de Fetais when the driver of the vehicle, later identified as stolen with an official complaint made by the owner, disobeyed the legal and legitimate stop order issued by an officer. The driver abruptly accelerated the vehicle with the clear intention to evade inspection, according to a statement released today.
The officers from the Motorcycle Squad began pursuing the fleeing vehicle, maintaining a safe distance and signaling the pursuit with sound and light signals to alert other road users. It was observed that the driver engaged in dangerous driving throughout the route, executing hazardous maneuvers and traveling in the opposite direction in various streets, endangering other road users.
The PSP further explained in the statement that at one point, a motorcyclist managed to overtake the fleeing vehicle, successfully ordering a traffic stop in both directions, thereby forcing the immobilization of the escaping vehicle.
Two of the three occupants of the vehicle abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, while the third occupant remained inside the vehicle.
Identifying the direction of the fleeing suspects, the officers intercepted the driver on Estrada Militar. During the foot chase, the suspect caused damage to the roof and windshield of a vehicle parked along the pursued route.
After intercepting the two suspects, authorities found inside the stolen vehicle ten empty jerricans of approximately 25 liters, a two-meter hose, a cap, gloves, and some tools. This material raised suspicions of being used for other illicit activities and was precautiously seized.
The two suspects were formally arrested, taken to the Traffic Division facilities, and notified to appear at the Lisbon Criminal Minor Court.
