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# Off-duty police arrest: Guardia Urbana officers detain knife-wielding phone thief in Barcelona
- URL: https://barna.news/off-duty-police-arrest-barcelona-phone-thief/
- Published: 2026-02-03T21:07:24.000Z
- Updated: 2026-04-14T13:03:38.000Z
- Description: Off-duty Guardia Urbana officers apprehended a thief in Ciutat Vella after a foot chase. The suspect had allegedly threatened a witness with a knife moments earlier.
- Author: Laia Serra
- Tags: crime

Two off-duty officers from the [Guardia Urbana (Barcelona City Police)](https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/guardiaurbana/en/?ref=barna.news) have made an off-duty police arrest in the Ciutat Vella district. They witnessed a man fleeing the scene of a violent robbery and intervened.

The incident took place around 2:00 pm on Tuesday in the Sant Pere neighbourhood. Meanwhile, officers who were off duty and walking in the area noticed a man running swiftly down the street. He was repeatedly looking back over his shoulder while clutching a mobile phone.

[Your browser does not support the video tag.](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBd3cR5PO18Qtyxp22I?ref=barna.news) 

## Off-duty police arrest after suspicious behaviour

Identifying the man’s behaviour as suspicious, the agents identified themselves as police and began a pursuit. They managed to intercept and detain the suspect on Carrer de les Basses de Sant Pere.

Uniformed patrols were quickly dispatched to the scene to assist. Upon investigation, officers confirmed that the man had stolen the mobile phone from a woman on a nearby street just minutes prior. The victim stated that the thief had forcibly taken the device after a physical struggle before sprinting away.

## Knife threat against witness precedes arrest

Further testimony taken at the scene revealed the robbery could have escalated significantly. A witness told police that they had attempted to restrain the thief immediately after the assault on the woman. However, the suspect reportedly brandished a knife to deter the witness. This allowed him to break free.

The suspect’s escape was short-lived, however. He ran directly into the path of the off-duty agents.

Therefore, the detainee has been accused of robbery with violence. He is expected to be brought before the [Barcelona duty court](https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/lang/en/constitution/constitutionalText/Pages/title1.aspx?ref=barna.news) in the coming hours.

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[Link to original article](https://www.elperiodico.com/es/sucesos/20260203/guardias-urbanos-fuera-servicio-atrapan-ladron-movil-barrio-gotico-126412324?ref=barna.news)