A threesome, two men and a woman, which became known as the “Bike Gang”, who was dedicated to stealing bicycles from garages and warehouses, in Beja, will be tried for the crimes of qualified theft and receiving.
The Public Ministry (MP) Beja, accused Fúlvio Cavaco Silva, of 37 year old, and Sara Arêde, co-authored material from the practice of 9 aggravated theft crimes, the woman is still accused of 7 reception crimes. A third element, Fábio Filipe, of 33 amos, is accused of a crime of receiving.
According to the MP's indictment, that the Lidador News (LN) We had access, between 28 January and 31 March 2023, Fúlvio and Sara sneaked into buildings and stole eleven bicycles from garages and storage rooms., two frames and a wheel and a scooter. One of the stolen bicycles, a “Raven 9” road model, from the Focus brand, cost the owner 4.000 euros that the duo sold cheaply for 600 euros.
Attorney Maria Júlia Mina, describes in the complaint that after carrying out the thefts, which reached a total value of 11.138,99 euros, the criminals were heading to Lisbon, and presenting themselves as legitimate owners, sold the stolen material to the Cash Converters store, “Cashtrade, Lda ", by 1.705 euros. The business owner, was not indicted for receiving, being a witness for the prosecution, one made a purchase contract with the acquisition of bicycles.
The arrest of the “Bike Gang” occurred on the day 12 April 2023, a motor vehicle containing the stolen bicycles was seized, after the first arrest of Fúlvio Silva, a month before, the investigation led to the recovery of all stolen material in the store's possession, in Lisbon, where were they for sale.
If they are convicted, the MP promotes that Fúlvio Silva and Sara Arêde be sentenced to pay the State the amount of 11.138,99 euros, advantage obtained through illicit acts. The trial before a Collective Court will take place next week, the Court of Beja.
Conviction of fine and seizure of motor vehicle annulled
On November 2nd, 2023, Fúlvio was ordered to pay a fine of 2.000 euros, for the theft of a bicycle 250 euros, and the loss of the car used in the crime. The individual did not attend any trial session, nor reading the ruling, but a procedural error led to the annulment of the sentence, new trial will take place next February.
Teixeira Correia
(journalist)
