On the afternoon of 18 August, Elche Local Police detained a man suspected of stealing several items along the beach at El Altet. Officers were conducting routine surveillance of the waterfront parking area when they noticed a person inside the vicinity acting in a way that drew their attention. The individual appeared to study nearby vehicles, altered direction abruptly upon noticing the officers, and seemed to speak into a mobile phone as if signaling someone or trying to blend into the surroundings.
The man claimed he was spending the day at the beach and carried himself in a manner that did not match typical beach attire. When officers searched the belongings in his possession, they found a wrench, a cutter, a metal file, a flashlight, and three sunglasses cases among other items that did not fit a day at the shore. The evidence suggested that the items were not ordinary beach gear but tools or equipment that could facilitate theft or break-ins.
During the intervention, a tourist reported that his sunglasses bag, house key, and mobile phone had been taken. While the officers identified one of the sunglasses cases in the suspect’s possession, they also inspected the area where the individual had first been seen. The bag was discovered hidden under a nearby vehicle and the phone was found behind the wheel of another car, both within the same vicinity where the subject had been observed earlier.
The suspect was arrested and transported to police facilities for processing. Reports indicate there was a period of resistance or violent behavior upon arrival at the custody area, which led to further measures being taken to ensure safety and secure the premises for subsequent investigations.