Gambler overstays visa then gets arrested for stealing six cars

A mainland gambler, after overstaying his visa and losing all his gambling funds, committed a series of burglaries in two parking lots on Rua do Almirante Sérgio, stealing six private cars and valuables totaling approximately MOP55,000.

The suspect, surnamed Fu, a 50-year-old mainland resident, is reported to be unemployed.

The Judiciary Police (PJ), following a referral from the Public Security Police (PSP), apprehended the suspect at a casino in ZAPE at noon on January 17 and recovered some of the stolen items from his residence on Rua de São Lourenço.

After investigation, the total repair costs for the six vehicles amounted to around MOP48,000. Combined with the stolen valuables, the six car owners suffered a total loss of approximately MOP103,000.

The six car owners had parked their vehicles in a building parking lot and an outdoor parking lot on Rua de São Lourenço. Upon returning to their cars, they found the windows shattered and valuables stolen.

After investigation, the PJ discovered that Fu had targeted the aforementioned parking lots in the early hours of January 16 and 17.

He used a small hammer to smash the car windows and commit the thefts, spending about ten minutes in each parking lot before quickly leaving the scene.

It was revealed by the PJ during the investigation that the suspect had overstayed his visa by approximately four months. He resorted to theft out of desperation, and the cash he stole had also been gambled away.

After assessment, individual losses ranged from MOP10 to MOP49,000, while repair costs varied between MOP2,000 and MOP30,000.

The police have formally charged the suspect with aggravated theft and transferred the case to the Public Prosecutions Office for further action.

Subsequent investigations will focus on locating the remaining stolen items, the tools used in the crimes, and identifying who provided the suspect with accommodation. Ricaela Diputado