Neighborhood security officials in Marbella reported a dramatic early morning incident last Thursday, when an unidentified man attempted to seize a luxury timepiece and opened fire after a brief confrontation with officers. The assailant grabbed the watch from a pedestrian street market area and fled as alarms sounded. The gun did not discharge because the weapon’s safety was engaged, a detail confirmed by police sources who described how the trigger failed to release the round despite the thief’s frantic efforts. The encounter left a street, a traveler, and a bystander group shaken, but the immediate danger to bystanders was averted by the safety mechanism and quick police action.
Authorities say the event unfolded around 1:00 a.m. on Boulevard Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso de Hohenlohe, near Puente Romano, a busy corridor known for late-night activity and dining spots. The thief, having escaped with a stolen luxury watch worth a substantial sum, fled the scene before officers could fully secure the area. In response, a discreet patrol, often described as the shadows for their nocturnal assignments, joined the search to minimize disruption while maximizing chances of recovering the merchandise and identifying the suspect. The pursuit intensified when investigators learned the thief would likely return to the scene to reclaim the watch or discard other evidence. Police pressed on with careful coordination and silent precision, aiming to maintain public calm while extending the search into nearby alleys and entrances of shops that rarely close early.
When the suspect did reappear, unaware that officers had already established a temporary stakeout, a struggle ensued. The thief picked up a street pot and struck a nearby officer, leaving the agent partially conscious and bleeding from minor head injuries. In the ensuing confusion, the assailant grabbed a firearm from the officer and pulled the trigger twice, but the weapon’s safety again prevented a discharge. The thief dropped the seized weapon and fled once more, his escape aided by the night’s labyrinthine layout. The officer required medical attention for head abrasions but is expected to recover fully, and the recovered timepiece was eventually returned to its rightful owner. Police authorities are actively pursuing leads to identify the suspect and determine his whereabouts, coordinating with local patrols and reviewing surveillance footage to piece together the sequence of events and deter similar acts in the area.