A 29-year-old man was arrested on June 7 in Barcelona, accused of committing burglaries in homes in the Sant Andreu district. The victims, two elderly women living alone, were surprised while sleeping and found themselves in a vulnerable situation. This case has raised concerns among local residents due to the method used by the suspect to intimidate his victims.
Details of the modus operandi
The investigation began after two assaults occurred in May, where a similar pattern was observed. In both incidents, the thief accessed the homes during the early hours, climbing or forcing entry. Once inside, he used his mobile phone's translator to communicate with the elderly women and demand money and valuables.
The first robbery took place on May 10, when the arrested man entered the home of an 84-year-old woman. After forcing entry with tools, he asked for money and jewellery through his mobile device. He managed to steal 1,900 euros in cash and several valuable items before fleeing, attempting to wipe away his fingerprints with a cloth.
Days later, on May 19, he repeated his strategy by entering the home of another woman, this time 72 years old. He tore off a grille to access the property and again used the translator to ask for a backpack to store the stolen items. In this second assault, he took 280 euros and various pieces of jewellery.
Investigations carried out by the Mossos d’Esquadra, including photographic recognitions by the victims, led to the unequivocal identification of the suspect. It was discovered that he already had a criminal record for similar offences committed not only in Barcelona but also in Badalona and other Barcelona districts such as Sant Martí and Sants.
Following the arrest made by agents specialized in citizen security and investigation from Prat de Llobregat and Sant Andreu respectively, the detainee was brought before a judge the next day. The police have emphasized the importance of maintaining preventive measures to protect elderly individuals who are more susceptible to such crimes.
The local community has expressed concern over these criminal acts that particularly affect vulnerable individuals such as the elderly. Neighbours have requested increased police surveillance in their neighbourhoods to prevent future similar incidents. Additionally, community organizations are promoting informational campaigns on how to protect against thefts and fraud aimed at elderly people.
It should be noted that these types of crimes not only affect victims economically but also have a significant emotional impact,” stated a community spokesperson.
As the investigation into this particular case progresses, the Mossos d’Esquadra continue to work to dismantle criminal networks operating under similar methods. Collaboration between the police and citizens is crucial to improving public safety and ensuring that all residents can live without fear of crime.
As these events unfold, it is essential to remain alert to suspicious situations and immediately inform the relevant authorities if anything unusual is observed.
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