Arrest at Playa de Palma: Four suspects held after series of stolen smartphones

Four arrests after a series of phone thefts

The night at Playa de Palma was loud, the music booming from the venues – and at around 2:15 a.m. a police patrol noticed a conspicuously fast vehicle on the access road to Schinkenstraße. Officers followed the car, stopped it shortly after and began a check. That's how an officer later summarized the operation. The end of the ride: four men in custody and numerous confiscated devices in the trunk.

Phones under the seat and a strange action

During the search the police found under the passenger seat a backpack with several high-end smartphones, partly covered in sand, a T-Shirt and a metal chain. One of the detainees had tried to "discreetly" throw a pink device away from the car – which did not succeed. The devices could be matched to reports of recently stolen phones, according to investigators.

A woman shortly afterwards called on one of the found phones: she had been earlier near a well-known nightclub, was hugged by two men while dancing and only later noticed that her phone was gone. Such feedback apparently fit the picture the investigators were forming.

The method: getting close while partying

Investigations indicate the suspects approached revellers on Schinkenstraße and at adjacent venues. The alleged hugging or close dancing reportedly served as a distraction while bags or trouser pockets were emptied. In one case it is said to have become physical when the victim discovered the loss and confronted the thieves.

The police seized all phones and checked them against data from existing reports. Result: the majority of the devices were indeed reported stolen. The four men were arrested on the spot and will now be brought before the examining magistrate.

What holidaymakers should know now

For guests and night owls this means: a little caution doesn't hurt. Keep bags close to your body, don't leave valuables visible in pockets and call staff or the police immediately in uncomfortable situations. The operation is part of the local "Plan for Safe Tourism", which has been increasingly implemented in tourist hotspots in recent months.

And yes: it's annoying to hear this when you just want to have fun. But especially in crowded streets and in front of nightclubs it's worth noting other devices' phone numbers or having a tracking app active. Small precautions can make a big difference when it matters.

Investigations continue. Tips from the public are welcome; witnesses should contact the National Police in Palma.