Police recently arrested a man at Barcelona's Estació del Nord attempting to travel to Romania with 139 stolen mobile phones. Thieves stole most of the devices, valued at €150,000, during the Primavera Sound festival, according to La Vanguardia Barcelona.
Officers from the National Police's Mobile Brigade, part of the Transport Police, intercepted the individual on a bus bound for Romania. This arrest occurred within a special security operation established for Pope Leo XIV's visit. Police observed his nervous and evasive behaviour, prompting an identification check. A thorough search of his belongings then uncovered the large cache of smartphones. Estació del Nord is a major international bus hub, connecting Barcelona with many European cities.
Festival Thefts Target Attendees
Police confirmed that most of the stolen phones originated from the Primavera Sound festival. This major international music event took place at the Parc del Fòrum, a large outdoor venue in Barcelona, on 6 and 7 June. The man now faces charges of aggravated theft and receiving stolen goods. Such incidents significantly impact festival attendees, many of whom are tourists or expats visiting Barcelona.
This arrest follows another significant incident at a local music festival. The Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia's police force, arrested a different man last Sunday morning for stealing 34 mobile phones at the Sónar festival. This second individual had hidden the phones inside his trousers at the Fira de Barcelona exhibition centre in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, a city bordering Barcelona. Several festival attendees reported their phones stolen, which led to police arresting him.
These arrests highlight the ongoing issue of mobile phone theft at large events in Barcelona and its metropolitan area. Authorities continue to advise festival-goers, including the many international visitors, to remain vigilant and protect their personal belongings.
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Originally published by La Vanguardia Barcelona. Read original article.
