Madeleine McCann Case - Police 'Set to Make Arrests' in Disapperance From 7 Years Ago
Madeleine McCann disappeared nearly seven years ago while on vacation with her family in Portugal. After years of searching, police appear ready to make arrests in connection with her disappearance.
Police are interested in finding and arresting three burglars working in the area where Madeleine vanished. While police have confirmed that they are planning to make arrests, they have not said exactly what led them to the burglars.
"We can confirm that a second International Letter of Request has been sent to the Portuguese authorities by the Crown Prosecution Services this week … in connection with Operation Grange," Scotland Yard told ABC News.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"The letter is a significant development," a spokesman for the McCann family told the Daily Mirror. "It is necessary for British police to request the Portuguese authorities allow them to operate on their turf. It means they have the intention of arresting and interviewing X, Y or Z. We don't know who they have their sights on but it's likely it is the burglars. Kate and Gerry don't want to build up their hopes too high but they realize it could be a significant new lead."
Operation Grange is the official name given to the reopening of the McCann investigation three years ago. Authorities decided to reopen the case after much pleading from the McCann family and new information was gathered by intelligence officers. The McCann family is not speaking about the latest development and the pending arrests.
"I'm afraid we are saying nothing about any aspect of Operation Grange whilst the police work continues, least of all about any tabloid speculation surrounding it," a family spokesman told ABC News.
At this point, police and the family still have hope that Madeleine is alive, even after all these years.
"There is no clear, definitive proof that Madeleine McCann is dead, so on that basis I still genuinely believe that there is a possibility that she is alive," Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector Andy Redwood told the press.
