The Civil Guard has apprehended a 41-year-old individual as the suspected perpetrator of several robberies involving force and violence in the city of La Orotava, situated in the north of Tenerife. This arrest occurred after two supermarket employees successfully evicted the thief from the premises and informed the authorities. It is noteworthy that the man purportedly carried out these crimes while on prison leave.
According to reports from Le Benemérita, he is charged with up to five counts of burglary and two counts of robbery with violence and intimidation in commercial properties.
The suspect, as explained by the Civil Guard, gained access to the interiors of houses under construction and employed the same modus operandi: He forced entry through doors or windows to steal wiring, aluminium, taps, and other materials, which he intended to sell at establishments specialising in the buying and selling of such items.
Supermarket Robberies
Nonetheless, the two robberies involving violence and intimidation took place in a supermarket accessible to the public, where the assailant entered with his face concealed and wielding a large sickle, threatening and attempting to assault the staff.
On one occasion, the employees defended themselves with a stick and managed to force the suspect to flee the scene, subsequently alerting the Civil Guard, who initiated a search operation to track down and apprehend the alleged criminal.
It is important to note that the accused has an extensive criminal history, while these criminal activities have instilled significant public concern within the municipality, not just due to the volume of offences committed in such a brief period but also owing to the violence exhibited by the suspect in some instances.
The detainee, alongside the proceedings conducted, was presented to the La Orotava Police Court of Investigation, which ordered his immediate return to prison.
