The Public Security Police (PSP) intercepted and arrested seven individuals last Tuesday, October 28, on suspicion of committing multiple thefts in jewelry stores, criminal association, and handling stolen goods. The investigation had been underway for six months.
This Friday, the PSP shared a short video on social media showing parts of the operation.
The video depicts several officers intercepting a van on the 25 de Abril Bridge and approaching the vehicle carrying the suspects. It also shows one of the suspects lying on the ground.
Watch the video below:
On Tuesday, three of the suspects were intercepted and arrested at 03:25 a.m. after robbing a jewelry store in Charneca da Caparica, Almada, in the Setúbal district.
The remaining suspects were arrested around 07:30 the same day in the municipalities of Seixal (Setúbal), Sintra, and Sacavém (Lisbon) through the execution of arrest warrants outside of a crime scene.
The police stated there are strong indications against the six detainees for having committed thefts in jewelry stores located in Almodôvar, Beja, Braga, Chamusca, Charneca da Caparica, Entroncamento, Évora, Mira, and Portimão.
According to the PSP, the three arrested on the 25 de Abril Bridge were carrying various objects in the vehicle suspected of being stolen from jewelry stores.
The security force also found numerous objects suspected to have been stolen in the suspects’ residences.
The PSP expressed confidence that this six-month investigation and these arrests have disrupted several planned jewelry store crimes by this organized group.
The suspects have been taken for an initial judicial hearing at the Beja Court. The court ordered the most severe coercive measure for one man, who has been sent to Beja Prison, and for his wife, who has been sent to Odemira Prison, where they will await trial proceedings, according to the same source.
As for the other suspects, two will remain under house arrest with electronic monitoring, and the rest will have to report to local law enforcement.
