The GNR in Albufeira witnessed a robbery taking place, chased the thief and arrested the man who had successfully relieved a British tourist of his wallet.
The robber was observed, saw he had been spotted by the GNR and fled on foot through the winding streets of the old town but was no match for the fitter, faster GNR team who arrested him and returned the wallet to the surprised tourist.
'The individual, a resident of Albufeira, managed to pinch the wallet and, having seen the approaching GNR officers, fled on foot. The prompt and diligent military pursued and intercepted the man moments after the execution of a criminal offense,' according to GNR command.
The wallet was recovered by police and returned to the owner, 'an English citizen who is on vacation in the area.' The arrested man, 42, had a history of theft and will be up in court shortly.
Meanwhile at Faro airport Borders police stopped and arrested a foreigner in compliance with a European arrest warrant for his extradition issued by the Spanish authorities. He was being sought to answer to forgery and currency crimes and, after a short spell in Beja nick, will be off to sunny Spain to appear in court.
The man, 27, had flown in from the UK and was identified by alert SEF officers at passport control.
