The Leiria District Command of the Public Security Police (PSP) announced the arrest of a 34-year-old man sentenced to four years and three months in prison for catalytic converter thefts in areas under the jurisdiction of the PSP and the GNR in the Leiria district.
Following his conviction, finalized on August 14, 2024, the man fled the country, initially taking refuge in Spain and later in Belgium.
The PSP consistently worked to locate him, finally intercepting him during his return to national territory, executing an arrest warrant issued for this purpose.
On February 6, 2024, the arrested individual, along with two other suspects, was intercepted by the Leiria Criminal Investigation Squad as part of a police operation targeting catalytic converter theft.
During this operation, two catalytic converters, a battery-powered grinder with two batteries, nine cutting discs, and a pair of vise-grip pliers were seized.
The seized items were used in the execution of the criminal acts, specifically catalytic converter thefts. Investigative efforts revealed the detainee was part of an organized crime network based in the Lisbon area, dedicated exclusively to these thefts.
The detainee was taken to the Leiria Prison Facility to serve his prison sentence.
