The National Police have arrested a 48-year-old man with an extensive criminal record, charged with committing multiple offences including violent robbery, after he allegedly targeted elderly foreign tourists, snatching their handbags near shopping centres and the Tenerife South airport.
The investigation began after a Russian tourist reported an incident near a shopping centre in Adeje. According to her statement, a vehicle approached her, and the driver forcefully grabbed her handbag before speeding away.
A detailed analysis of similar crime reports revealed five more robberies of the same type in just two weeks, three of which occurred at the airport and in San Miguel de Abona, and the other two in Adeje. These incidents shared common elements including the modus operandi, the locations selected for the robberies, and the profile of the victims, who were sometimes dragged to the floor.
National Police investigators identified the vehicle used in the robberies as a stolen rental car with false number plates to avoid detection, which was found parked on a street in Valle de San Lorenzo in the municipality of Arona.
In a special operation, officers conducted surveillance on the vehicle and subsequently arrested the suspect when he attempted to use it. Following his arrest, he was taken to police headquarters for questioning and was then placed at the disposal of the competent judicial authority to face charges.
