A public employee working for the Cerquilho City Hall was arrested on Tuesday, suspected of selling stolen water meters that had been taken from several properties throughout the city. According to the Civil Police, the man was purchasing equipment stolen from residences and then selling them. During a search of his home, police found one water meter, three flower pots believed to have been stolen from the city hall, and a replica firearm.

Investigations revealed that the suspect was acting as a receiver for the stolen items, dismantling the water meters and selling the parts to others. The police further stated that he has a history of criminal offenses, indicating a pattern of illegal behavior. Additional individuals involved in the scheme have also been identified, and police are continuing their investigations to locate and apprehend these suspects.

The detained individual is expected to face charges related to receiving stolen property. This incident highlights issues of corruption and theft within local government operations, raising questions about security protocols in place to prevent such occurrences and the effectiveness of law enforcement in dealing with corrupt public officials.