Alleged bag-snatcher behind bars

GUARDIA Civil officers have arrested a 21-year-old Moroccan man with a previous record for allegedly snatching two women’s handbags in Almuñecar.

The first theft took place on October 14 at about 8.45am on Calle Baracoa. The victim reported that a young man on a mountain bike grabbed her bag, which contained €140 in cash and her mobile phone. The woman described the man as young, tall and wearing a dark brown jacket and a woolly hat.

Three hours later, a witness phoned the police to report that a young man had been seen trying to snatch a woman’s handbag on Paseo del Altillo.

A patrol was sent to the area and spotted a man matching the descriptions given sunbathing on Puerta del Mar beach. There was a brown jacket next to the suspect, and the mobile phone reported stolen by the first victim was found in one of the pockets.

Following his arrest, the Almuñecar duty judge ordered the suspect be sent immediately to Albolote Prison.