A gang armed with a shotgun and a knife broke into the home of a Dutch couple at Monte do Canafechal in Mexilhoeira Grande on Tuesday December 6.
The attack took place at around 9.30am while the family were having breakfast in their home, which is located in an isolated spot.
The couple were tied up in the bathroom while the thieves emptied the house of valuables, including money and jewellery and two bank cards with codes.
The ordeal lasted for close to two hours before the victims were able to untie themselves and alert a neighbour.
“It was midday before they were able to look for help,” said a neighbour who lives about two kilometres away from their home.
“They had the tyres on their car slashed and their phones destroyed to stop them from getting help.”
The Dutch woman, who suffered injuries to her face and head while she was tied up, was also threatened with having her finger cut off if she didn’t hand over her jewellery.
While the house did have a video security system, the three thieves were hooded, making it difficult to identify them.
The couple, who are in their 50s, did not want to receive medical treatment for their injuries.
The GNR confirmed to the Algarve Resident that the incident took place and that the Polícia Judiciária de Portimão (judicial police) are currently investigating the robbery.
