Former goalkeeper Helton Arruda was detained and later released following a house search warrant due to accusations of domestic violence in the Porto district.
The former player was confirmed to be detained by the National Directorate of Public Security Police, which explained that the event took place in March of this year. An illegal firearm and ammunition were reportedly found during the search.
As detailed in July, when it became known that the Public Prosecutor’s Office accused the former player of domestic violence, the case involves a woman with whom Helton, aged 47, had an extramarital relationship for over ten years.
In July, both the victim who filed the complaint and the suspect, along with several witnesses, were heard by the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The victim and alleged abuser reportedly met in a professional context. According to the indictment, Helton appeared daily at the woman’s workplace with whom he had an affair, promising to divorce.
The complainant explained that the former player was jealous of the clothes she wore, and she even refused professional work to be with him and to prevent him from becoming upset.
About seven years ago, the woman informed the player that she would remove all his belongings from her house, and the player allegedly confronted her on a street in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto district, pressing an object against her head that seemed like a firearm.
The situation was interrupted by a known person who asked if everything was okay, prompting Helton to “hide the object,” according to the indictment. He then blamed her, saying, “See. This is how tragedies happen.”
This statement led to Wednesday’s inspection, where the firearm was found in a “wardrobe in the bedroom where Helton and his wife lived.”
The former player claimed the weapon belonged to Mário Rui Maia, whom Helton met at church. Mário Rui Maia is deceased, as reported. The gun was registered in another person’s name and was reportedly stolen in Gafanha da Nazaré, about 70 kilometers from Vila Nova de Gaia.
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Domestic violence is a public crime, and reporting it is a collective responsibility. If you need help or know of any situation of domestic violence, please report it:
[Updated at 19:38]
