TWO PORTUGUESE men were arrested by police last weekend, following a high speed car chase between Albufeira and Alcochete (south of Lisbon).
No less than five police cars were involved in pursuing the pair, who were driving an Opel Vectra at an average speed of 200km per hour. The vehicle, which was stolen, bore two false number plates (front and rear plates did not match), leading the authorities to believe that the pair had been intending to carry out a robbery that Saturday night somewhere in the Algarve region. The chase ended when the fugitives blew three tires upon mounting a roundabout alongside Freeport Designer Outlet in Alcochete.
The men, aged 28 and 32, both from Amadora, Lisbon, were found to have three firearms in their car when caught. Neither had previous convictions on record, but the authorities suspect their involvement in various recent assaults on petrol stations in the Algarve.
At the first hearing, which took place earlier this week at Albufeira Court, the judge chose to free the individuals but ordered that they report regularly to the police station. They are also forbidden to leave their borough of residence.
