Two La Massana burglary suspects expelled from Andorra after being released
Prosecutors found insufficient evidence to keep the two men in custody
Two men aged 40 and 48 who were arrested on Tuesday in Andorra la Vella on suspicion of being linked to at least one residential burglary in La Massana have been released and expelled from Andorra.
According to RTVA, prosecutors concluded that there was currently insufficient evidence to justify keeping the two men in custody. Despite their release and subsequent expulsion from the Principality, the police investigation remains open and the case will be referred to the courts.
If investigators obtain conclusive evidence against the two suspects, international cooperation mechanisms could be activated to seek their extradition back to Andorra.
Suspected of involvement in a La Massana burglary
The two men were intercepted by two police patrols in Andorra la Vella on Tuesday afternoon. Investigators initially linked them to a burglary at an apartment in central La Massana in late June.
During the break-in, the perpetrators allegedly stole a high-end watch, a gold ring and around €450 in cash.
Investigators suspect that the two men could be linked to an organised criminal group specialising in residential burglaries. Around ten methadone tablets without a prescription were also allegedly found in their possession.
Suspects not believed to be linked to Escaldes burglaries
Investigators currently believe that the two men were not involved in the burglaries at two apartments in Escaldes-Engordany in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Those break-ins are believed to have been carried out by another group that had already operated in Andorra in May.
In the Escaldes case, one of the homeowners alerted police after a security camera installed at the property detected two individuals entering the apartment. Officers were immediately dispatched to the building, where they found that the lock had been forced and the interior of the property had been searched.
During their checks, police discovered a second apartment targeted in the same building, apparently using a similar method. Investigators also found small pieces of transparent plastic placed on the doors of the properties.
The owner of one of the apartments has already filed a complaint after gold jewellery and watches were allegedly stolen. The investigation remains open, while police are awaiting a second complaint before determining the total value of the stolen property.