Justice. A surprising turn of events: although he had admitted to having committed the thefts with his cousin, he took everything upon himself at the hearing

This Tuesday, November 26, in a room of the Tarbes criminal court copiously filled with members of the Ibos traveler community, two of them are being tried, cousins ​​Thierry A. and Bryan P. They are being prosecuted for a series of tool thefts perpetrated in at least six utility vehicles, on the night of November 23 to 24, 2023, in Tarbes, Soues and Laloubère. On November 24, a craftsman came to file a complaint at the Tarbes police station. He had already been the victim of a theft in his van, so he has since installed a GPS beacon in his equipment. The police geolocate the beacon at the Ibos Travelers reception area. They went there and discovered a Renault Modus belonging to Bryan containing a large quantity of tools. The plaintiffs recognize part of the stolen equipment which is returned to them. The police searched Bryan's trailer and found weapons, ammunition and jewelry inside. Bryan's brother, identified by a witness to one of the thefts, and his father, are taken into custody.

On November 27, an anonymous call from a person from the Ibos Traveler community informed the police that the perpetrators of the thefts were Bryan and his cousin Thierry. The police arrested and searched his home. Thierry immediately recognizes the facts and gives details of the procedure, the distribution of the vans between him and his cousin.

The 1^is December, Bryan presents himself at the Tarbes police station. He disputes the facts, says that his cousin lied and that he was in Bordeaux at the time of the burglaries. Bryan is placed in police custody, then in pre-trial detention.

Version change

Muriel Renard, president of the court, asks Thierry if he maintains his statements. We then witness a dramatic turn of events. “No, Bryan wasn’t with me, I did it alone.” The president points out that only Bryan's DNA was found in the Renault Modus. “I had gloves,” retorts Thierry. “Why did you say Bryan was with you?” asks the president. “I was jealous of Bryan about my girlfriend.” The president calls him again on the anonymous call. “I don’t know, you have to hear this person,” Thierry stammers. “Why didn’t you say anything when your cousin has been in detention for a year” asks Muriel Renard. “I was angry with him. I didn’t want him to go out, to flirt with my girlfriend” repeats Thierry.

Questioned by President Renard, Bryan confides that he does not remember when he left for Bordeaux. “Nothing shows that you were registered in the hotel where you say you spent the night” Muriel Renard points out to him. “I didn’t commit the facts, it’s not me,” Bryan maintains. The President notes that the witness who first identified your brother indicated that “it might have been you because you look very similar.”

“They ruined my life”

Then, one of the civil parties, a self-employed person, comes to testify at the bar: “Whether it's both, one or the other, it doesn't matter to me. They ruined my life. I had just started my company . I almost lost it. As soon as I heard a noise in the street, I looked for the material but what we are experiencing now is harder. It hurts.” His lawyer, M^e Sonia Bernés-Cabanne underlines the “hyper-vigilance” which now inhabits her client and his wife. M^e Joseph Mesa, advisor to the Clim'Adour company, recalls that the theft of equipment prevented employees from working. In order to quantify the damage, he requests the referral on civil interests.

Julien Michel, vice-prosecutor, immediately emphasizes that “the involvement of the two defendants is clear in the procedure”. Regarding Thierry's change of heart, the vice-prosecutor explains it “out of affection, generosity or fear of the number of people present in the courtroom”.

M^e Lorea Chipi, Thierry's lawyer, emphasizes that her client “immediately came to the table”. She specifies that he is “socially integrated” and that a probationary suspension seems appropriate to him.

“A botched investigation”

M^e Thierry Sagardoytho, Bryan's counsel, pleads for acquittal, denouncing a “botched investigation”. The anonymous call? “You have to leave him at the court door… Why didn’t you conduct a hearing under X?” The lawyer then argues that the telephony does not demonstrate the presence of his client at the scene of the thefts. “You also do not have any images showing my client driving his car on the evening of the thefts.” He then adds that the listing provided by the Bordeaux hotel is incomplete.

The court sentenced Thierry to 2 years in prison, including 18 months suspended on probation for 18 months. He will complete the 6 months under an electronic bracelet. He must also pay a fine of €4,000. Bryan gets 3 years and a 10,000 fine. The court ordered his continued detention. At the end of the hearing, Bryan expressed his desire to appeal.