A 35-year-old foreign national was arrested by the Public Security Police (PSP) in Peniche on charges of arson after setting fire to three vehicles on Sunday.
In a statement released on Monday, the PSP reported that the man allegedly visited a commercial establishment in Peniche to purchase alcoholic beverages.
After consuming the beverages, he reportedly moved through various streets in the city and is suspected of setting fire to at least three vehicles that were parked on public roads.
The authorities were alerted by members of the public who noticed one of the vehicles igniting as the suspect was leaving the scene.
Witnesses were able to provide descriptions of the suspect’s physical appearance and clothing.
Police arrived at the scene and apprehended the man in the vicinity. A firearm belonging to the suspect was found in the last vehicle that burned.
According to the PSP, the man has been in the country for a short period and has been identified multiple times for vehicle theft, establishment theft, and food fraud. He has also been previously detained and required to report weekly.
The case has been handed over to the Judiciary Police (PJ) due to the nature of the crimes committed.
