Madeleine McCann cops to make first arrests:
Three burglars who 'made many phone calls' after her disappearance wanted in Portugal
Daily Mirror
By David Collins | Jan 12, 2014 22:58
The Crown Prosecution Service has sent an International Letter of Request to Portuguese police seeking permission to arrest the trio
Arrests: Madeleine McCann
British police are poised to make the first arrests in the hunt for missing Madeleine McCann.
The Met want to quiz three burglars who carried out raids in the Portuguese resort when the three-year-old vanished.
Officers were last night preparing to fly to the Algarve to make their first arrests since the force set up Operation Grange in 2011 to review the kidnapping.
They hope to speak to the thieves after mobile phone records showed the men made numerous calls to each other in the hours after she disappeared.
The Crown Prosecution Service has sent an International Letter of Request to Portuguese police seeking permission to arrest the trio.
A spokesman for Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry said: "The letter is a significant development. It is necessary for British police to request the Portuguese authorities allow them to operate on their turf.
"It means they have the intention of arresting and interviewing X, Y or Z. We don't know who they have their sights on but it's likely it is the burglars.
"Whether the Portuguese will co-operate remains to be seen. It is a very sensitive issue with differences they have had.
"Police want to be given a chance to arrest key suspects. It doesn't prove they have Madeleine but it will rule them in or out of the investigation and that is important.
"Kate and Gerry don't want to build up their hopes too high but they realise it could be a significant new lead."
Days before Madeleine's disappearance from Praia da Luz in May 2007 aged three, the gang raided another holiday flat there, disturbing a child. The youngster's parents interrupted the burglars who fled.
An inquiry source said: "Portuguese police attached no significance to the burglary at the time. British officers regard this as an oversight."
Met Police have so far been unable to arrest the men as their Portuguese counterparts are reluctant to carry out a joint investigation, instead preferring to follow their own lines of inquiry.
Diplomatic discussions are going on to try to secure agreement for UK detectives to be based in Portugal. Six local officers are working with the Met’s team, making enquiries on their behalf.
The latest development follows a first International Letter of Request allowing Operation Grange to access mobile phone data.
Scotland Yard said: "We can confirm a second International Letter of Request has been sent to the Portuguese authorities by the Crown Prosecution Services."
No formal arrests have ever been made in the hunt for Madeleine. Early on former GP Kate and heart doctor Gerry, both 45 and from Rothley, Leics, were given the status of arguido. It meant they were formal suspects but they were cleared in 2008.
British-born property consultant Robert Murat was also made an arguido but he was exonerated alongside the McCanns.
Operation Grange has 37 officers and has so far cost taxpayers £4.5million.
In October, a BBC Crimewatch special, featuring a reconstruction and an e-fit of a new prime suspect, sparked 3,500 calls and emails. Two viewers gave the same name for the man seen carrying a child.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/madeleine-mccann-cops-make-first-3016414
