DO NOT STAY HERE!
Our computers and cash was stolen. Additionally the local police never responded or dropped by. Our host had to go to the station two days later.
In my humble opinion there are two likely scenarios.
1. We dead bolted the front door. We locked the window on the right but only closed the window on the left. Both windows had solid wood shutters. Both were closed to keep neighbors from peering in and to keep the apartment cool while we were out. Given we were on the fourth floor we ‘assumed’ that it was nearly impossible to breach the home from the left window/small balcony.
Someone may have monitored us, knew we were out, gained access to the roof and jumped down to the balcony to enter the apartment. This is a sketchy area and many locals prey on tourists.
2. This was an inside job. Someone knew how to access the lockbox, got a key and unlocked the front door.
Either way, we departed at 11am for Cascais and returned at 8pm just as it was getting dark. I immediately noticed the computers were missing and then found our suitcases emptied and cash taken.
Our perspective is that there should have been more emphasis on locking both windows and or installing an alarm system and or monitoring cameras to deter intruders.
Kind regards,
Brian