Couple arrested in Elvas for kidnapping and extortion following year-long investigation
A 42-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman were detained by the PSP in Elvas, charged with kidnapping, extortion and aggravated threats. Both await trial in pre-trial detention.
Elvas couple arrested for forcibly collecting debts over years
A 42-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman were detained by the PSP on Wednesday in Elvas, in Portalegre district, strongly suspected of the crimes of kidnapping, extortion and aggravated threats. According to Correio da Manhã, both await trial in pre-trial detention, a measure applied on Friday by the Court of Elvas.
The District Command of the PSP in Portalegre, in a statement, explains that the couple engaged in lending money to various victims, subsequently proceeding to coercively collect the respective debts. "Which were never fully settled, perpetuating themselves over time," the PSP document states.
Investigation lasted approximately one year
The detention resulted from an investigation lasting approximately one year, culminating in the capture of the two suspects simultaneously. The authorities did not reveal the total number of victims identified during the investigation process.
Following the detentions, the PSP conducted house searches at two residences in the city of Elvas associated with the suspects. Various items directly and indirectly related to the imputed crimes were seized.
Gold, money and high-powered vehicles seized
Among the confiscated material are gold items with a total estimated value of €12,914, €4,235 in cash and three motor vehicles, two of which are high-powered. The PSP also collected several documents which, according to the authorities, demonstrate the couple's criminal activity.
The detainees were presented to a judge at the Court of Elvas, who applied to them the most serious measure of coercion provided for in law: pre-trial detention.
Source: Correio da Manhã