Man arrested for robberies targeting elderly residents in Granada's Plaza de Toros neighbourhood
A man has been remanded in custody after being detained as the suspected perpetrator of several robberies targeting elderly people in the Plaza de Toros neighbourhood of Granada, according to judicial sources.
Custody for suspect in neighbourhood robberies in Granada
According to ideal.es, the National Police have detained a man as the suspected perpetrator of various robberies targeting elderly residents in the Plaza de Toros neighbourhood of Granada. The judicial authority has ordered preventive detention for the arrested man following several days of investigation.
Officers located him while heading to a drug distribution point in the Northern district. At least one victim identified him as responsible for the attacks, which have generated concern in the area. Judicial sources confirm that the detained man is already in preventive custody.
According to residents, the robberies began several weeks ago. The first incident occurred at around 19:00 on Sunday, 29 September on Calle Fidel Castro. The second took place at approximately 21:00 on Monday, 7 October in Plaza Doctor López Neira. In both cases, the suspected thief attacked elderly people alone with the intention of robbing gold chains from around their necks.
In the first robbery, the attacker managed to tear away the chain. In the second, nearby shopkeepers assisted the victim and the suspect managed to flee without taking the jewellery. The second victim was assaulted and injured in the doorway of their home, according to Daniel Martínez, president of the neighbourhood association.
"They would grab them from behind and take the opportunity to asphyxiate them while pulling the chains," Martínez explained. Relatives of those affected filed reports indicating that they believed they had been observed previously: the perpetrator knew their movements and what jewellery they were wearing. No cash money or wallets were stolen.
The National Police launched a thorough investigation which included reviewing security camera footage from the neighbourhood and nearby establishments. The police work resulted in the identification and detention of the suspect following several days of effort.
From the neighbourhood association, warnings are being issued about the increase in robberies in the area. Martínez notes that they fear the extension of these thefts to businesses and inside homes, and that elderly residents and students in the neighbourhood fear circulating through the streets. Residents will raise the problem at the next municipal district meeting and are requesting increased police presence in the area, as they have already requested in previous meetings with Granada City Council regarding other vehicle robberies and damage to wing mirrors and windows.
Source: Google News ES — Crime (es)