49-year-old man arrested for second time in Águeda for setting forest fires
A 49-year-old man was arrested again in Águeda on suspicion of setting forest fires, two weeks after a first arrest for the same crime.
Second arrest in less than a month for fires in Águeda
The Judicial Police (PJ) arrested for the second time in less than a month a 49-year-old man suspected of setting forest fires in the municipality of Águeda, district of Aveiro, the PJ announced on Friday.
According to CNN Portugal, the new arrest concerns a fire recorded on Wednesday late afternoon in the locality of Serém de Cima. The suspect had already been arrested approximately 15 days earlier for the same crime, at which time he was placed under obligation of periodic check-ins and treatment for alcohol dependency.
This time, the man allegedly set fire in an area within a large forest patch, with homes and other buildings in the vicinity. "The fire did not assume proportions of greater severity only because it was detected early, which allowed for rapid and effective fighting of it," states the PJ note.
The Judicial Police add that throughout this year, other fire-starts have occurred in the vicinity of the same location, using the same method of action — all still under investigation and with the same suspect referenced as possible perpetrator.
The PJ admits it has not been able to establish any rational motivation for the investigated facts. The actions of the detainee are described as "rooted in a possible framework of alcoholism and a strong compulsion to commit this type of crime," aggravated by the proximity between the suspect's residence and the fire locations.
The detainee will be brought before a judge for the first interrogation for application of any new coercive measures.
Source: CNN Portugal