Thief specializing in hotel breakfast buffet thefts arrested in Benidorm

The 43-year-old Chilean national allegedly stole personal belongings by exploiting customer carelessness during breakfast buffets.

Generic image of a theft in a hotel.
IA

Generic image of a theft in a hotel.

An individual specializing in stealing personal items during hotel breakfast buffets has been arrested in Benidorm, the National Police reported.

The man, 43 years old and of Chilean origin, allegedly committed about fifteen of these thefts in various hotels in the city. His method involved taking advantage of moments when customers left their tables to serve themselves breakfast, using a piece of clothing as a 'crutch' to conceal the action and steal wallets, mobile phones, and bags.
The investigation began following several complaints from victims who described a similar modus operandi, detailing how they left their personal belongings on the table or hanging on their chairs while they went to the buffet.
According to police inquiries, the arrested individual would select his victims from outside the dining areas and, upon detecting an opportunity, would enter the establishment to commit the theft. Following his arrest, he has been handed over to the on-duty investigating courts of Benidorm.