Actually the Express, for a change, was not making it up, they are reporting on a real diligence.
The catamaran is "Tropics"
Processos Volume IV
Pages 854-855
External Inquiry Report
Date: 2007/05/09
Place: Praia da Luz - Lagos
Responsible Officers: Raquel Neves and Tony Almeida, Inspectors
Description and result of the inquiry:
In the sequence of information received by this Policia Judiciaria on this date, at around 11H40, we went to the Video Club “Eureka Services", located in Praia da Luz - Lagos, in order to contact Mr. S**** R******, the owner of the establishment.
…
Following an informal conversation, we were informed by that individual that he had remembered that on the previous Thursday, 3rd May, 2007, at the time he was closing up his shop, around 22h45, a small vehicle, whose make, model and number plate he does not remember, the only identifying element he captured was the colour of the vehicle—a dull red, almost as if the colour has been burnt off, sic, due to prolonged exposure to sunlight. Inside the vehicle, he could only make out the presence of one person, as well as a dog in the front passenger's seat.
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At the moment that said vehicle passed him, he observed that the driver was looking towards the back seat . Mr R***** affirms that he did not have, at that time, the opportunity to determine what was in the back of the car.
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When questioned, he further noted that he recognised the identity of the driver, indicating that it was a female, of Brazilian nationality, 1,70 cm in height, 25/26 years of age, slim with lightly coloured skin. He even added her name, S*** S***** because she and her partner had previously worked at his parents’ farm. …
Due to minor arguments caused by the misuse of tools, involving mainly the woman’s companion identified as E***** S*****, the latter, also of Brazilian nationality, and Mr. R*****, effectively came to blows, and the services of the couple were concluded.
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He adds that some of the physical aggressions he suffered in Marina de Lagos, had required help from the local police;
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After the couple were fired, he found out that they went to work in the Marina de Lagos, in the area of repairs/maintenance of boats, and more concretely, for a boat which was moored there and that they it as their residence. He furthers that it was a catamaran of high dimensions with the name "TROPICS";
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Another individual called R***** also worked in that place with the couple. R*****’s telephone number is xxxxxxxxx, and he may help in determining other elements;
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He only remembered the episode at this point, because in making some associations, given the disappearance of the child, it reminded of him of this couple who mentioned that they had an exceptional desire to have a child of their own;
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After the facts occurred, he also stated that they had left Marina de Lagos, as the vessel was no longer found in that place.
When questioned about the physical characteristics of E**** S*****, he identified him as being bald, with a strong build, around 1,70 m in height, dark skin tone and around 42 years of age.
Signed.
