PJ arrested 7 suspects in 12 robberies and thefts in Famalicana, Braga and Barcelos.

On Monday, the Judicial Police (PJ) arrested seven suspects in 12 crimes related to robberies and thefts committed in the municipalities of Vila Nova de Famalicão, Braga and Barcelos since October 2023, police said.

In its statement, the SP adds that there will also be one case of forgery/forgery and one offense of possession of a prohibited weapon.

The investigation began on October 28, 2023, involving two crimes related to the robbery of a residential building in Joan, Vila Nova de Famalicão, where two men were present.

“The robbers fired several shots from a firearm, hitting one of the men, who managed to escape into the street. The second victim was threatened and subjected to several attacks,” the report says.

The victims, both 24 years old, had to undergo hospital treatment for their injuries.

The SP says that as the investigation continued, it became possible to track the criminal activities of the group.

Since the end of April last year, “four detainees have committed various skilled thefts targeting payment machines and other valuable items installed in commercial establishments in the municipalities of Braga and Barcelos, resulting in damages amounting to several tens of thousands of euros.”

On Monday, the SP conducted house searches and other investigative activities, culminating in the collection of evidence and the arrest of seven suspects.

Six were detained off-duty due to outstanding arrest warrants, and another was arrested while a crime was in progress.

The arrests took place with the cooperation of the PSP and the PNP.

The detainees are six men and one woman, aged from 20 to 34 years old, with a criminal record.

They will be brought to court for the first judicial interrogation and enforcement measures.