French court hears case of Portuguese man accused of stealing 42 trucks for resale in Portugal
A 37-year-old Portuguese citizen has been in pre-trial detention in France since June, facing formal accusations that he led an organized network responsible for stealing 42 heavy vehicles around Paris and selling them in Portugal. The case, which the French press has labelled that of the "king of truck thieves," came before a court in Nanterre this week.
Raphael C. faces charges of criminal association, theft by an organized group, and money laundering. The alleged scheme caused damages of approximately €1.3 million.
How the investigation began
According to French newspaper Le Parisien, the investigation opened in February after a truck was stolen in Puteaux, in the Paris suburbs. Police in Hauts-de-Seine discovered what they believed was an organized criminal group committing at least one theft per week using the same method.
The network allegedly conducted nighttime searches for trucks to target. The method involved opening the cab, disabling the geolocation system, and using an electronic device to start the vehicle without keys.
After the theft, the trucks were taken to parking lots where they remained for a few days to ensure no other tracking devices were active. The vehicles were then driven to Portugal by an accomplice using false license plates.
Searches uncovered cash and equipment
Authorities detained suspects in late June. During a search of Raphael C.'s home, French police found €27,000 in cash and around €80,000 worth of tools and equipment.
Raphael C. has lived in France for 13 years and has two children. He worked in his wife's restaurant and in construction. Before emigrating, he managed a scrap metal yard in Portugal.
The accused deny involvement
Both Raphael C. and his brother deny the crimes. Raphael acknowledged he may have been at the scene of one theft but said he was unaware anything illegal was happening. An accomplice identified as Paolo confessed to the crimes and took full responsibility, but was released in June.
Raphael C.'s lawyer, Alexandre Simonin, asked the Versailles investigating court to end what he called "this judicial disaster" and release his client. The request was unsuccessful.
