Choke-hold burglar dies after family catch him in villa with keys to Jaguar

A burglar has died after he was allegedly placed in a choke-hold when he broke into a British couple’s villa in Portugal. The suspected thief was pinned down at the Algarve property early on Sunday morning while police were called. He was believed to have been caught red-handed with stolen goods including the keys to the family’s Jaguar. But when officers arrived and went to handcuff him, the man suffered heart failure and died.

When the police arrived, the assailant was still alive, with one of the Britons holding hold him down, with one arm around the neck

Portugese newspaper Correio da Manhã

The incident happened at about 4am on Sunday in Vilamoura, one of Portugal’s most popular tourist destinations, known for its marina and golf courses. The couple - in their 50s - and their 20-year-old son are believed to have caught the thief after he disturbed them. The father pinned down the thief with the help of his son while his wife called the police and he was still being held when officers arrived. There is no indication at this stage whether the couple, who are believed to be in their 50s, have been arrested.

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