A violent theft erupted at a shop in Alicante when two women allegedly robbed a business and drove off with a worker clinging to the hood. The incident ended with the assailants detained after a brief pursuit. The shop assistant sustained minor scratches but no serious injuries, according to police reports issued this Sunday.
The intervention was carried out by the Citizen Assistance Group (GAC) of the Alicante Provincial Police and the Response Operation Group (GOR) of the Alicante Police Station. The alert came via the 091 emergency line, prompting officers to respond to a storefront disturbance in the northern district of Alicante where the suspects appeared to be stealing.
Officers arrived quickly and observed a chaotic street scene: a woman lying on the pavement, belongings scattered nearby, and two suspects exiting a vehicle.
After providing assistance to the assaulted clerk, officers spoke with another employee and several witnesses who had observed the events. They indicated that the two women had been stealing multiple items from the shop when police were alerted. A confrontation ensued, with the suspects striking the clerk and even damaging a mobile phone during the melee.
As the suspects attempted to flee, one of the store employees positioned himself in front of the getaway vehicle. The driver then accelerated, striking him and causing a dangerous moment on the street as the vehicle continued for a short distance with the employee clinging to the hood.
Following the incident, the two women were detained on suspicion of violent robbery, and the vehicle driver faced additional charges related to road safety violations. The vehicle was seized and taken to the municipal depot due to lack of compulsory insurance.
The injured employee received medical care for bruises and cuts but is not in serious condition, according to medical responders. The two detainees, aged 23 and 29, both of Spanish nationality, were handed over to the court of inquiry and are currently held in Alicante as part of ongoing legal proceedings.
Up to five years imprisonment
The National Police underscored that the use of violence or intimidation to escape is a serious criminal act. The authorities stated that the defendants allegedly sought to take possession of items through force, distinguishing this case from simple theft. If convicted, the suspects could face a maximum sentence of up to five years under the current Criminal Code in Spain.
The case highlights the legal distinction between theft and robbery through violence or intimidation, with prosecutors emphasizing the gravity of using a vehicle as a weapon during a theft. The investigation remains active as detectives collect witness statements and analyze surveillance footage to determine the full sequence of events and the extent of the losses. [Police statement, Alicante cited for reference]