NOT SAFE- Possible criminals living inside the building
We arrived on Sunday at 4:30 pm, having parked the car in front of the
building on the other side of the one way street. The host greeted us and helped us in bringing up the 3 floors stair cases part of the luggages. We decided to leave the car parked there on Sunday since it was expressed to be a safe place and even the host parked his car there. The host suggested we park the car in his garage for 10 Euros a day but did not say in anyway it was dangerous or that we should have all items of the car taken into the apartment if we would decide to leave the car parked in the street. The host showed us the apartment and everything was ok. During the night, my parents in law and my wife had a hard time sleeping and were awake. They identified very loud noises coming from inside the building. They heard noises as if heavy things were being carried up or dragged up the stairs at around 3-4 am. The next morning at 8:30 am, my wife went to the host to have the car taken to the garage and it was discovered that the car had been damaged (passanger‘s glass broken) and luggages (two) stolen. Immediately the police was called by my wife and I came down the building to see what had happened. The host stayed with us thru that time as we waited for the police officers to come. After long waiting, we ended up stopping a police car that was passing by to do the report. After that was done,the host and I took the car to his garage. The host wished us a pleasant stay despite what had happened. We did not hear from the host during the rest of the day.
On Tuesday morning we looked out the back window of the apartment and to our surprise, some of the clothes that were in the stolen luggage had been washed and were hanging on the racks of the apartment under ours outside the window. Immediately we went to the police station and awaited for them outside the building. It was identified that the apartment where the items we had identified, was located on the second floor (we were on the third floor). The people that live in the apartment on the second floor is a couple with a son aged 18+- (age informed later on by the host). They alleged that the son was traveling abroad to Vienna and was not on site Sunday or Monday (which we doubt since no proof was provided such as flight or train tickets nor any other receipts). Furthermore, they alleged that the items (both luggages-one
empty and one containing not even one third of the items) was found in front of the building at 7:30 am with the street trash. They informed the host’s daughter that the trash driver could justify what he had seen and we believe in case true, they are friends. The police accepted this version, without having taken fingerprints of the suspects, nor checked our car for fingerprints, did not question anyone in the building about the noises and did not request proof of travel by the son. One empty luggage and another luggage containing the items that were seen outside along with very few other things was returned to us. We informed Luís of what had happened at around 4-5 pm that day and he replied back informing that he already knew what had happened. Since the time he was aware of the incident with the found items (believe to have been at 1pm) he did not make any contact to check how we were and if we needed any further
assistance. Only after we wrote him informing of what had happened and that things were with people living in the building is that he showed sympathy. The alleged robbers have worked for him in the past and he as well as his daughter believe in their version. We did not feel safe any longer in that building or street and only stayed there
since we had to wait for the police report. After talking with the police and neighboors from buildings next to and in front of the building, it was informed that this street is a dangerous place to stay. We have met the host on Tuesday evening informing all that is written here, even mentioning the fact that before taking the car, my wife had
mentioned to him having heard noises and did not really sleep well during Sunday to Monday. We strongly believe that the people that broke into our car and took the luggages are the suspects that live in the building. On Tuesday evening, we heard a loud discussion between father and son coming from the apartment below. The discussion seemed to be triggered by the father questioning the son. After such discussion, it appears the son slammed the door and left the apartment. (Note: he lives
there with his parents and as far as we know still lives there).
The host did not charge us any amount for the parking and said he was
sorry at departure.
Conclusion: We booked this apartment because it is considered a super host with only positive reviews. However, it is NOT a SAFE place to stay and the rest of our trip in Portugal was ruined by this incident. We were not able to enjoy Porto and despite being a nice apartment and Luis being a kind man, we CANNOT recommend this place.