Suspect in connection with 11 thefts at schools in Almada was caught

GNR, which investigated a series of thefts in Almada, mostly in educational institutions, for about two months, detained a 38-year-old person. The suspect is thought to be linked to 11 cases of aggravated theft and one case of misuse of a debit or credit card. The suspect is expected to be brought before the judge at the Almada Court. Diario Criminal

The investigation lasted about two months

According to Diário Criminal's news, based on GNR information, the Almada Criminal Investigation Unit of the Setúbal Regional Command conducted an investigation that lasted approximately two months due to various thefts that occurred in the district.

It is stated that most of the incidents took place in educational institutions in Almada.

As a result of bringing together information obtained from different incidents during the investigation, a connection was established between the cases and the identity of the 38-year-old suspect was identified. Diario Criminal

The suspect was taken into custody on September 7 under an arrest warrant issued outside the crime.

11 suspicions of aggravated theft

So far within the scope of the investigation:

- 11 counts of qualified theft (furto qualificado),

- misuse of a debit or credit card

case was detected. Diario Criminal

In Portuguese legal terminology, furto qualificado, used in the news, is not the same crime as roubo, which is based on violence or threats. Therefore, in Turkish, it is more accurate to convey the events as qualified theft rather than as "robbery".

Diário Criminal also reports that the suspect has a past record of crimes of a similar nature. This information does not mean that the suspect was convicted of the crimes in the new file. Diario Criminal

The suspect will appear before the judge

According to the information provided by Central Press, the detained person is expected to be brought to the first judicial interrogation at the Tribunal Judicial de Almada.

At this stage, the court can determine the protective measures to be applied to the suspect. This measure may range from release to certain obligations or more severe measures, depending on the circumstances of the case; Available sources do not yet report what the final decision is. centralpress.pt

Therefore, detention does not mean that the person is found guilty of 11 incidents. The criminal investigation and judicial process continues.

The investigation may expand

The fact that the police have established a connection between 11 theft cases so far does not necessarily mean that the investigation will be closed with this number.

Materials, images, bank transactions or evidence obtained from other events seized in criminal investigations can lead to the establishment of new connections. For this reason, it is possible that new developments will occur in the later stages of the investigation in Almada.

Why might schools be a target for theft?

Portable items such as computers, tablets, projectors, phones, money or payment instruments can be found in educational institutions, especially outside working hours.

However, there is no indication that the current investigation indicates an ongoing general security threat involving all schools in Almada. The incident is being considered as part of a criminal investigation into a specific suspect and a series of burglaries that have occurred in the past.

Therefore, the information available is not sufficient for families to draw a general conclusion from the incident, such as “Schools in Almada are not safe.”

Practical safety for children and families

Students not carrying expensive electronic items they do not need at school and not leaving their phones, tablets or wallets unattended can reduce the risk, especially in common areas.

In case of theft or security incident in a school, the most reliable source of information is the official statements of the school administration and the relevant security unit.

If the stolen item contains a bank card or payment-enabled phone, it is also important to quickly block the card or digital payment tool.

In case of an urgent security threat, Portugal's general emergency number is 112.

Difference between furto and roubo

The two words are often confused in crime news in Portugal.

Furto: Illegal taking of another's property.

Roubo: A different category of crime in which violence, threats or methods that render the person unable to resist are used during the taking of property.

Since the crimes described in the Almada file are furto qualificado, the expression “11 robberies” misrepresents the nature of the file.

Sources Reviewed

Diário Criminal / Daniel Soares — 8 September 2026 Diário Criminal

Open original news and image from Diário Criminal

Central Press — “Homem detido por furtos em estabelecimentos de ensino” — 8 September 2026 centralpress.pt

Open Central Press news