Carjacking suspects in the Charge investigated for violent crimes

Otwo men arrested yesterday in Lisbon for attempted carjacking in broad daylight, last Sunday, in Carrado, are suspected of joining a criminal group that, in recent months, has been dedicated to the practice of various violent crimes using firearms.

In a statement sent this Wednesday to the editors, the Judiciary Police (JP) says that, in an investigation, they are “crimes of aggravated abuse of trust, aggravated theft, possession of prohibited weapon, falsification of documents and criminal association”.

The arrests were carried out by the Department of Criminal Investigation of Leiria, in close coordination with the Lisbon and Tagus Valley Board.

In terms of modus operandi, the criminal group rented cars in rent-a-car companies, “not delivering them”. Instead, and in order to continue to enjoy them, “they placed different license plates, but identical vehicles”. 

In other cases, the vehicles used were stolen on the public road, “with firearms, consubstantiating what is policely known as carjaking”.

To do so, suspects of foreign nationality used to wear dark clothing and suitable accessories to hide features as well as gloves.

Investigation crimes occurred in the areas of Lisbon and Leiria, between June and October this year.

The PJ further points out that, in investigations carried out by the Criminal Investigation Department of Leiria “are indicted for the crimes of aggravated robbery and criminal association, following a carjaking (in the form attempted in Monte Redondo), of a robbery at a credit institution in the city of Leiria and also in a goldsmith’s shop in Caranguejo”.

Already in investigations carried out by the Lisbon and Vale do Tejo Board are indicted by the practice of, at least “a crime of theft aggravated on the public road and a carjaking (in the form attempted), occurred on October 11th, as well as of an aggravated robbery to a convenience store, whose images were widely disclosed on social networks”.

Still in the metropolitan area of Lisbon, suspects are referred to by the practice of other identical crimes, continuing the investigation.

The Judicial Police adds that “it is convinced that it has dismantled a criminal group that, given the violence of its actions, has been creating widespread fear and social alarm”.

The two suspects, aged 25 and 38 years old, have temporary addresses for some years in the Lisbon metropolitan area and also in Leiria, “so that they are not controlled by the authorities.”

Detainees shall be present to the judicial authority competent to implement the coercion measures.