Following an investigation that took place about 13 months ago, it was possible to establish the existence of a network dedicated to the repeated practice of the crime of theft inside clothing stores, tobacco stores, fuel stations, restaurants and drinks establishments, with the objective of selling stolen items from markets, fairs and stores.

The suspects were already referred to the practice of about 30 thefts in the districts of Évora, Faro, Lisbon, Santarém and Setúbal, and this group, on several occasions, also stole goods vehicles, which they later used in the thefts.

Following police and investigation procedures, 13 home search warrants and 13 non-home search warrants were carried out, namely in the garage, store and vehicles, resulting in the recovery of various stolen material, namely clothing, decorations and toys, with emphasis on seizure of eight vehicles.

The operation had the reinforcement of the criminal investigation structure of the Territorial Command of Setúbal, of the Territorial Detachments of Almada, Montijo and Setúbal, of the Public Order Intervention Group of the GNR Intervention Unit, of the Detachments of Intervention of Faro, Santarém and Setúbal and also with the Public Security Police, totalling 170 staff.