Churches, social centers and nursing homes were targeted by a group led by an unemployed 53-year-old man from Barcelos. “The Poet,” the nickname by which José Freitas, considered one of the leaders, is known, has long been familiar to the authorities. Last May, the Loures court sentenced him to 16 years in prison for 12 thefts, also in institutions supporting the elderly. While awaiting the decision of the appeal to the Lisbon Court of Appeal, Poeta continued his criminal activities.
In recent months, he and eight other accomplices, some also convicted of crimes committed in 2020 and 2021, have carried out at least 20 robberies at nursing homes. The robberies always occurred at night and on days that coincided with users’ installment payments. They made thousands of euros in profit through this scheme.
During a recent robbery of a social center in Guimarães, they managed to steal 11 thousand euros. This week they carried out two robberies, both in the municipality of Braga. But the list is longer. There are records of thefts in Barcelos, Caminha, Ponte de Lima, Porto, Braganca and even Portalegre.
On Wednesday, the PNP of Barcelos stopped the group. The Vila Nova de Famalicão judge sent five people to prison.
Author: Fatima Vilasa
Source: CM Jornal
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