Azores Situation Report Wednesday – 8th March 2023
Pre-trial detention for three suspects of robbery crimes in Ponta Delgada
Three men were held in pre-trial detention for being suspected of committing three crimes of theft, which took place in the city of Ponta Delgada.
According to a statement from the Regional Command of the PSP of the Azores, the three men, aged between 38 and 40, were arrested last weekend, two of which have a criminal record.
The arrests “occurred following the treatment and analysis of the various signs that were collected during the investigation, which found that there was an interconnection between the three crimes, namely in terms of the motive for the crime, mode of action, places where they occurred and the type of crime, chosen victim, in this case, vulnerable victims resulting from situations associated with strong social exclusion”.
The PSP also says that the approach to the victims “was done by the suspects mainly at night, in places with little movement of people, in the city of Ponta Delgada, and the victims, under threat of aggression with white weapons, were forced to hand over money and goods they had in their possession. In one of the cases, under the threat of a knife, the victim was forced to go to an ATM, collect and deliver all the money he had in his account”.
After judicial interrogation, the coercive measure of pre-trial detention was applied to them.
Investigation continues, with a view to ascertaining the possible responsibility of the defendants in the commission of other crimes.
Two brothers arrested for domestic violence against their mother in Ponta Delgada
The PSP detained, in flagrante delicto, two brothers, aged 33 and 49, in the municipality of Ponta Delgada, for committing the crime of domestic violence against their 71-year-old mother.
According to a statement from the Regional Command of the Azores of the PSP, “after a complaint reporting the episode of violence at the victim’s residence”, the PSP immediately went to the scene, “having glimpsed the victim in a state of nervousness and crying, informing that, moments before she had been threatened with death by her own children, causing her fear and restlessness”.
The PSP also said that they continued with aggressive and violent threats against their mother, they were immediately arrested, for the protection of the victim, due to advanced age and physical and psychological fragility, in addition to the danger of continuing criminal activity against the victim”.
The defendants were present at the 1st judicial interrogation before the competent Judicial Authority and the oldest defendant was given the most serious coercive measure, preventive detention and the other defendant the coercive measures of periodic presentations at the PSP Police Station, prohibition of contact with his mother and sister, not coming closer than 200 metres from the residence, and consequently abandoning the victim’s residence, in addition to undergoing drug addiction treatment.
Azores with worsening weather conditions and sea unrest
The Azores will experience a “considerable worsening” of weather conditions and sea unrest, between 18:00 on Monday and 18:00 on Wednesday, warned the Navy.
The Navy and the National Maritime Authority alert the maritime community and the population in general “to the care to be taken, both in preparation for a trip to the sea, and when at sea or in coastal areas”, advising the reinforcement of mooring and to “close surveillance of moored and anchored vessels”.
“Avoid walks along the sea or in areas exposed to sea turmoil, such as the protective piers at ports, cliffs or beaches, to avoid being surprised by a wave”, is another precaution to be taken.
The Navy and the National Maritime Authority also ask that recreational fishing activities not be carried out, “especially along the cliffs and cliffs and cliff areas often hit by breaking waves, always bearing in mind that in these conditions the sea can easily reach apparently safe areas”.
The Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA) has placed the islands of the Western group under yellow warning from the end of today due to the forecast of maritime unrest.
According to the IPMA, the yellow warning for the islands of the Western group (Flores and Corvo) will be active in the period between 18:00 today and 12:00 Tuesday.
The yellow warning is issued by the IPMA whenever there is a risk situation for certain activities dependent on the weather situation.