The Guardia Civil has arrested two men in Gran Canaria for their alleged involvement in a violent robbery using the highly dangerous “mataleón” technique – a chokehold from behind that can render victims unconscious within seconds.
The incident took place during the early hours of 21st May 2025 in Vecindario. According to the investigation led by the Guardia Civil, the suspects meticulously planned the attack, targeting a woman walking alone with two suitcases en route to the airport.
At approximately 3:00am, the woman was first approached by the two men, one of them riding a scooter, who repeatedly asked her for a cigarette. After she ignored them and moved on, the men reappeared at a nearby bus stop where the victim was checking schedules, watching her from across the road.
The attack occurred moments later as she carried on walking. One of the assailants came up behind her and applied the "mataleón" hold, cutting off her air supply, causing her to lose consciousness. When she came to, she was lying on the ground with a nosebleed. Bystanders who had heard her cries quickly came to help her and contacted the emergency services.
Paramedics confirmed that the female victim sustained serious injuries, including a fractured nose, a bad head injury, and a shoulder injury, highlighting the brutality of the assault.
The suspects made off with one of the woman’s bags, which contained just €40 in cash, plus personal documents, a credit card, and a mobile phone.
Following the report, investigators reviewed nearby CCTV footage and were able to track the suspects’ movements before and after the incident. Their analysis confirmed that the crime had been premeditated, with the attackers deliberately selecting their victim and executing a coordinated plan. Investigators also mapped the suspects' travel using public bus routes to identify the boarding and disembarking points.
On 27th May, one of the assailants was positively identified by the victim and arrested. The second suspect, a teenager who had escaped from a juvenile detention centre, was apprehended the following day.
The case has been referred to the duty court in San Bartolomé de Tirajana and the Provincial Prosecutor's Office.
