Cops to Question Suspects in Madeleine McCann Case

Police in Portugal will question several suspects in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in the "very near future," reports the BBC. The Observer goes further and characterizes the development as pending arrests, which would be the first major ones in the 2007 case. Up to eight people reportedly will be brought in, three of whom are suspected to be burglars who work in and around the resort area of Praia da Luz where the 3-year-old girl disappeared.

The UK Express says at least three others are believed to be people who worked at the resort in 2007, and the newspaper lays out the latest thinking: "Detectives believe that Madeleine was taken by the gang of burglars—all convicted drug dealers—who panicked after accidentally waking her inside the holiday apartment." The list of suspects comes from a Scotland Yard examination of phone records from the area immediately after the girl's disappearance. Meanwhile, police continue to search scrubland around the resort, a task expected to be wrapped up next week. (More Madeleine McCann stories.)