A 27-year-old man was arrested last week for possession of a prohibited weapon after causing disturbances in at least two establishments in the Santa Clara parish in Lisbon.
An official statement released on Monday by the Lisbon Metropolitan Command of the Public Security Police (Cometlis) states that the incident occurred on the 10th of the month.
“After receiving a report of an agitated individual at a fuel station, brandishing a supposed bladed weapon, the police quickly arrived on the scene to intercept the individual and ensure the safety of others,” the authorities explained.
Upon arrival at the fuel station, officers encountered the suspect, “identified by previously distributed physical descriptions, holding a large bladed weapon (resembling a katana).” Upon spotting the police vehicle, the man took flight, entering another commercial establishment.
Cometlis assured that the officers “secured all possible exits from the building to prevent his escape” and successfully surrounded the suspect to immobilize him. “However, since the suspect did not comply with police orders and maintained a position that could threaten the officers’ safety with the mentioned bladed weapon, the use of a distributed electrical weapon was required, enabling a safe immobilization and handcuffing of the suspect,” the statement added.
“During the investigations, it was concluded that the suspect had some disputes with his brother and had threatened him with the weapon, although no physical aggression occurred,” Cometlis detailed further.
Authorities verified the characteristics of the bladed weapon, establishing it was a katana with a total length of 55.5 cm and a blade of 42 cm, which was seized.
The suspect was subsequently detained and notified to appear before the competent judicial authority.
