The GNR has stumbled across a highly organised international network of thieves after the criminals were tracked down having robbed a villa in Patacão near Faro and taking off in the owner’s car.
Three men were arrested when the car was identified in Almancil and a search of the vehicle, and later at an address in the Alvalade neighborhood of Esteval not far from the new Ikea store, revealed the extent of the criminal activities that had been taking place.
Over €100,000 of goods had been stolen from properties in Faro, in Margem Sul in the district of Setúbal and at other addresses yet to be confirmed but thought to include the recent burgalry at the home of wealthy industrialist António Rodrigues.
"We have come to realise that these men are just part of a large network. We cannot link them to the others just yet as investigations are ongoing," said Paulo Santos of the GNR in Loulé.
During the house search, the authorities made two more arrests and were able to recover several stolen objects and a second vehicle that had been pinched during a robbery in a house in the Almada area, south of Lisbon.
In addition to recovering two stolen Mercedes cars, the authorities seized an overdue rental car, 70 pieces of jewelry, 45 watches, 6.35mm pistols, five mobile phones, a camera, computer equipment, dozens of sun-glasses, backpacks and travel bags and about €2,500 in cash.
The commander of the GNR in Loulé explained that the group, many of whcih are from Latin America, looked for high quality residences when they could get "high profits," the main focus being on gold items and quality vehicles that could be used in their next burglary and which would not arouse suspicion when driving around posh housing areas.
The authorities said the type of objects stolen were chosen for their easy conversion into cash and that some items had been parcelled up and posted to the crooks' home addresses abroad or to countries where their relatives live.
The detainees are between the ages of 23 and 40, and entered Europe as tourists having landed in Spanish or French airports and driven across to Portugal.
"They have very great mobility, both within the country and within Europe," said Paulo Santos, adding that the group uses its mobility to go unnoticed and to deceive the authorities.
The authorities now want to link the recovered objects with their owners so as to clear up unsolved burglaries and to return valuables to their owners.
The detainees will be in court on Thursday and are unlikely to be released on bail.
