A man has died after being restrained while trying to rob a British couple’s villa in Portugal. Police are investigating the death, which occurred during a break-in at the upmarket Algarve resort of Vilamoura at around 4am on Sunday.
A source from the Portuguese judiciary police said a British woman, aged 60 or 61, had found the burglar on the first floor of the villa after hearing noises.
Her husband, aged 59 or 60, rushed to her aid after hearing her screams and a scuffle broke out. The couple’s son then went to help his father, while his mother called the police. “The intruder was overpowered by the son, who grabbed the burglar from behind while he was involved in an initial scuffle with the father,” the source said.
“When GNR [national republican guard] police arrived at the scene, they found the son on the floor with his arm around the assailant’s neck who was lying on his side. The father was sitting on top of the intruder.”
The intruder died at the villa despite the efforts of police and paramedics, the source said. “We don’t have any doubts as to the sequence of events of Sunday morning, but this remains a criminal investigation as somebody has died.”
The source described the intruder as a Portuguese national in his mid 20s, 1.9 metres (6ft 3in) tall and athletically built. The burglar, who was unarmed, had a criminal record and had served time in prison, possibly for robbery.
The Portuguese website Correio da Manhã said he collapsed as police were preparing to put him into handcuffs. It also reported that when he was found by the family he was in possession of stolen goods including the keys to their Jaguar.
The source said the son is aged 31, although local media gave his age as 20. He is believed to have been visiting his parents, who are understood to have lived in the Algarve for at least a decade. Unconfirmed reports suggested they are originally from the East End of London. Both father and son were said to have sustained minor injuries.
The results of a postmortem on the intruder are expected to be published on Tuesday or Wednesday. The source said: “No charges have been brought, but the family have been asked to inform police should they intend leaving the country. Once we have concluded our investigation, our findings will be handed over to the public prosecutor’s office.”
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are in contact with police in Portugal regarding this incident and our embassy staff are ready to provide assistance if required.”
Vilamoura is an upmarket resort with golf courses and a large marina, popular with expats and British holidaymakers.
