National audience judge Joaquin Gadea has ruled on the detention of a Portuguese couple arrested in Zamora after the pair were linked to armed robberies at gas stations in Portugal and Spain. Legal authorities, including sources from Badajoz, confirmed the decision on Tuesday to reporters from Efe.
Gadea issued the ruling following the arrest warrant issued by Portuguese authorities through Interpol for SAP, 42, and NCA, 40, in connection with robberies carried out in that country. The action underscores the cross border nature of the case, showing how coordinated law enforcement efforts can track fugitives across fronts and alleys in different states.
The sequence of events allowed a member of the public to provide crucial information, which led to the couple being located and detained before they crossed the border via Ayamonte in Huelva at the end of July. It is then reported that they resumed criminal activity in Spain, with their photographs circulating in local media and on social networks as investigators pieced together their movements.
The arrest and surrender order contains no explicit charges relating to three additional crimes in the town of Braganza, Portugal, an aspect that remains under separate inquiry. Authorities stress that the Braganza investigation is ongoing and could yield further updates as inquiries unfold.
robberies Seville, Badajoz and Toledo
In recent weeks, the couple has been connected to a string of robberies at gas stations and retail outlets across several provinces, including Seville, Badajoz, and Toledo. In most cases, the same approach has been observed: a firearm brandished to intimidate staff and a knife used to escalate compliance, with the goal of securing cash and valuables as quickly as possible.
There is also a report of a vehicle being robbed at gunpoint in Madrid’s Moncloa district last Wednesday. The suspects were inside a car that had its license plate altered, and witnesses described the suspects as calm while carrying out the operation. They had earlier shopped at a Valderaduey mall before entering the vehicle, according to statements from authorities.
During the arrest in Zamora, the State Security Forces took the suspects into custody without resistance. Guillermo Vara, the Zamora police chief commissioner, provided these details at a Tuesday press conference. The plea for public vigilance and cooperation proved pivotal, as a member of the public alerted security services after recognizing the suspects in a mall setting.
Authorities emphasize that citizen tips and prompt information sharing play a critical role in dismantling such cases, helping to prevent further incidents and ensuring a swift transition from pursuit to custody. The investigation continues to unfold as investigators review surveillance footage, cross-check victim statements, and corroborate the timeline of the suspects’ movements across regions.