The Guardia Civil have arrested a 59-year-old man after officers caught him red-handed trying to break into a parked car in Teide National Park.

The suspect, a resident of Los Realejos in northern Tenerife, is being investigated in connection with a series of thefts from vehicles in some of the island's busiest tourist areas.

According to the Guardia Civil, he is suspected of one robbery involving violence, two thefts from breaking into parked cars, and three further thefts from parked cars, with the total value of stolen property exceeding €1,000.

The arrest comes following increased police surveillance in Teide National Park after a rise in complaints from holidaymakers of crimes targeting vehicles in areas popular with tourists.

Police surveillance operation at Teide

The investigation was carried out by officers from the Guardia Civil's La Orotava investigation unit as part of the Spanish Government's Safe Tourism Plan, which aims to prevent crime in areas with large numbers of visitors.

After gathering information about the increase in vehicle-related thefts, officers established surveillance operations at several locations identified as being particularly affected.

During one of these operations, police spotted the suspect allegedly attempting to force his way into a parked vehicle. Officers intervened and arrested him at the scene.

Banned from Teide National Park

Following his arrest, the suspect was brought before the courts along with the evidence gathered during the investigation.

The judge subsequently issued a restraining order banning him from roads and viewpoints within the municipality of La Orotava, as well as from the entire Teide National Park.

The unusual court order is intended to prevent him from returning to the areas where the alleged offences took place.

Warning to tourists and residents

The Guardia Civil is urging both tourists and residents about the risks of leaving belongings inside parked vehicles, particularly at busy tourist attractions and viewpoints.

Visitors are advised not to leave valuables, bags, phones, wallets or other personal belongings visible inside their cars, even when leaving the vehicle for only a short period.

Extra precautions are recommended at popular locations where large numbers of visitors park before walking to viewpoints, trails or other attractions.

Anyone visiting Mount Teide should take valuables with them wherever possible and ensure their vehicle is properly locked before leaving it unattended.