During the closing arguments at the Santarém Court, the public prosecutor dropped the charge regarding a robbery that occurred on August 28, 2024, due to “lack of evidence”.
However, the prosecutor asserted that there is “no doubt” about the robbery committed on September 18 by the defendants and requested a prison sentence for three of the four men involved.
The prosecutor advocated for a harsher penalty for one defendant, believing him to be the mastermind behind the robbery, a claim denied by the defense attorney due to “lack of evidence”.
“At no point, neither from the footage nor from anything similar, can it be determined that the alleged mastermind was the defendant in question. Just because one drives the vehicle does not make them the leader. In my opinion, this is simply a case of co-authorship,” stated defense attorney Filipe Dionísio to Lusa.
The three defendants, aged between 20 and 26 and residing in the South Bank of Tejo, were initially charged with two counts of aggravated robbery and one of illegal possession of a weapon. Today, the charge was reduced to one count of aggravated robbery, with the illegal weapon charge remaining. One of the men is also facing two charges of driving without a legal license.
A fourth defendant, aged 59, linked to the rental of the vehicle used in the robberies, did not appear in court and was fined but was absolved by the prosecutor today regarding his involvement in the crime.
According to the indictment, the defendants, two of whom are brothers, decided to rob jewelry stores using firearms and physical force as intimidation.
The robbery that was proven occurred on the morning of September 18, 2024, at a jewelry store in Fátima, where the owners and a third person were present.
One of the defendants pointed a gun at the owner, another pushed a person who hit their head against the display window pillar, and the third shattered a showcase and a cabinet with a hammer, carrying off dozens of items valued at around 16,500 euros.
The men then fled towards Lisbon.
A police officer testified in court during the first session, describing the chase which involved several teams from the PSP and the Judiciary Police, who set up a blockade on the 25 de Abril Bridge.
According to the testimony, one of the men attempted to throw a bag containing evidence, including a revolver, ammunition, gloves, and gold and silver items, into the river Tagus, but the bag got caught on the bridge’s railing.
The three suspects were arrested after attempting to flee on foot and trying to break into other vehicles.
Inside the vehicle, more stolen items and the hammer used in the robbery were found.
During the final arguments, the defense attorney for the two brothers requested a “suspended sentence” for the youngest without a criminal record and, for the older brother with a criminal record, asked for “conditional prison sentence suspension” conditional on evidence that he is employed, aiming at social reintegration.
Several witnesses, including employees and jewelry store owners, were heard during the two hearings, corroborating some of the facts described in the prosecutor’s indictment.
The verdict is scheduled for September 29 at 1:30 PM.
