The author of caravan thefts confused by video surveillance cameras for burglaries committed in Lattes and Montpellier

On lui reprochait cinq vols à la roulotte. Midi Libre – Illustration

Le mis en cause, un Algérien âgé de 50 ans, en situation irrégulière sur le territoire national, a été condamné à seize mois de prison ferme avec maintien en détention.

It was a resident of rue du Grenache in Lattes who was at the origin of this arrest. While she was walking her dog, she saw an individual breaking the window of a parked Peugeot 3008. After notifying the municipal police, the suspect was apprehended and taken into custody.

Based on various exploitations of video surveillance cameras, the investigations carried out by the property crime brigade of the Montpellier central police station made it possible to confuse the alleged perpetrator into four other thefts at the trailer clerk the same day, in the same area.

In possession of stolen items

But also, and above all, on five break-ins perpetrated in shops and businesses, located in Lattes and Montpellier, between February 27 and March 4. The day of his arrest, he was also found carrying cell phones and USB keys from these burglaries.

Despite this seemingly irrefutable evidence, including a papillary trace found in a business visited, this 50-year-old Algerian, without profession or fixed address, in an irregular situation on the national territory and already known to the justice system, denied any involvement concerning these ten offenses.

Five years of ban on French territory

After being referred to the public prosecutor's office this Tuesday, March 5, he was imprisoned pending a presentation at the hearing for immediate appearances of the judicial court of Montpellier, the next day.

Convicted of only part of the charges against him, he was nevertheless sentenced to sixteen months in prison with continued detention. Upon his release from prison, he will be banned from appearing on French territory for a period of five years.