Pair of pickpockets who robbed tourists expelled from Mallorca
A court imposes a restraining order on them and forces them to leave the island within 24 hours, while their involvement in at least seven thefts using the "love hug" method is investigated.
PalmA court has ordered the expulsion from Mallorca of a couple accused of several thefts from tourists, from whom they stole belongings using the well-known "loving hug" method. The judicial resolution includes a restraining order and a prohibition from residing on the island during the proceedings, with a 24-hour deadline to leave.
The Civil Guard arrested the two suspects, a man and a woman from Eastern Europe, in the municipality of Calvià as alleged perpetrators of at least seven robberies. According to the armed institute, they mainly operated in tourist areas and chose elderly victims, whom they approached with an apparently friendly attitude to establish physical contact and take advantage of the distraction to steal jewelry or valuables.
Among the investigated cases is the theft of a gold pendant valued at approximately 3,000 euros from a German tourist in Palmanova. They are also attributed the theft of a wallet from a British visitor in Sant Elm (Andratx), while one of the involved parties distracted her.
The identification of the suspects occurred after several victims recognized them. Once arrested, they were brought before the judicial authorities, who have adopted precautionary measures.
Furthermore, the agents verified that the woman had an active search and arrest warrant issued by courts in Barcelona for similar offenses, which reinforces the hypothesis that this is a repeated criminal activity linked to the same modus operandi.