In recent events affecting a Ukrainian refugee and the wider community, a Romanian man around midlife added a new grievance to a troubling pattern of thefts. The 46-year-old suspect allegedly used a convincing police persona to search belongings and seize valuables, repeating the method that had earned him attention from local authorities. The case unfolded after the victim reported the incident to the National Police. Investigators quickly moved to verify whether similar thefts had been carried out using the same technique, aiming to determine the full scope of the offender’s activities.
The sequence began on a day when the Ukrainian refugee was nearby a garden area adjacent to the Provincial Assembly. A man approached with a bold, defiant tone and claimed to be a police officer. He spoke in a manner meant to intimidate, introducing himself as a guardian of order and implying that the person might be hiding contraband. The ruse prompted the refugee to withdraw belongings for inspection and to hand over a backpack under the impression that it was a necessary compliance check.
The visitor then proceeded to examine the contents, insisting the refugee reveal what was worn and carried. Believing there was nothing of value, the refugee complied, exposing a concealed purse beneath a cardigan. The alleged officer asserted that cocaine could be hidden among the bills, prompting the refugee to allow a closer examination of the money stash. The suspect’s confident demeanor and systematic description created a sense of legitimacy that helped him win the refugee’s trust during the encounter.
With the supposed criminal aim clear, the thief encouraged the refugee to believe the matter had been officially logged and that a routine check would occur again the next day. The plan relied on appearing procedural and calm, a tactic designed to reassure the victim while concealing the actual theft. The refugee later realized the entire scenario was a staged distraction meant to facilitate the loss of cash and important documents. The bag was grossly lighter, and the victim sensed that the carefully staged sequence had been a game designed to steal without immediate detection.
Terrified and unsettled, the refugee returned home to find the money missing. The realization that the exchange was a deliberate ruse left the victim shaken, with the impression that the incident looked controlled to onlookers but concealed a straightforward theft. The momentary distraction allowed the thief to pocket the cash unseen, highlighting how easily confidence can be exploited in such encounters.
The National Police and the Judicial Police Alicante Central Region immediately launched an investigation. They coordinated with the police station’s Operational Group to review nearby surveillance footage from a camera near the Provincial Committee. Officers gathered testimonies about the suspect’s appearance and demeanor, then expanded the search using a wide net of information and video records from the area. The investigative push paid off when authorities located a man in a street near the scene who perfectly matched the previously reported features, clothing, and behavior. The arrest was carried out after a brief struggle as the suspect attempted to flee, underscoring the urgency and danger in confrontations with criminals of this type.
The detained individual is a 46-year-old Romanian citizen with prior incidents that raise questions about a potential pattern of similar offenses. He was taken into custody and is currently in police facilities, with continued investigations to determine involvement in other thefts carried out with the same deception. Law enforcement continues to analyze additional video material and victim statements to construct a complete timeline of events and to establish any connections to other reported thefts in the area.