A gang suspected of stealing metal has been caught red-handed by the Portimão GNR at a farm in the Mexilhoeira Grande area.
The four men already had stolen agricultural equipment and cables but foolishly returned the next day to take more and were promptly arrested.
Unknown to the thieves the GNR had mounted a surveillance operation of the area as thefts from various farms in the Mexilhoeira Grande area had been reported.
"The four individuals were already suspected by the GNR of theft and were spotted by the officers as the thieves once again broke into the farm by forcing open a section of fencing" explained the GNR District Command.
The suspects had a light goods vehicle in which to transport the stolen items. This has already been identified by the farmer when they stole from the property the previous day.
Thefts of farm machinery and other metal items such as cabling are a headache for the GNR as the majority are committed in remote areas of the region.
"There are frequent thefts, often causing lots of damage because thieves do not hesitate to destroy equipment by just taking the metal parts" commented the GNR Command.
