Chase on Carrer de París ends at suspect premises
On Sunday, 11 October 2026, a patrol officer from the Guàrdia Urbana of L'Hospitalet de Llobregat spotted a person riding a Personal Mobility Vehicle (VMP) in the Collblanc neighbourhood. As part of ongoing checks targeting criminal use of electric scooters, the officer signalled the rider to stop. The individual ignored the instruction and accelerated, initiating a chase through the streets. The pursuit ended on Carrer de París, where the suspect abruptly entered a commercial premises. Backup units were called and the officers entered the establishment, where they quickly located both the scooter and the rider. The man was reported for disobeying police orders, and the VMP was confiscated and taken to the municipal impound lot.
Stolen handbags and hygiene violations uncovered
Inside the premises, officers discovered two luxury handbags from a well-known brand, still bearing original tags and active store security alarms. The Guàrdia Urbana contacted the store manager and confirmed that two items matching these descriptions had recently been reported stolen. Further inspection revealed serious hygiene deficiencies: cockroaches were present, fire extinguishers were expired, and mandatory safety signage was missing. Authorities are now investigating who is responsible for the alleged theft and the condition of the premises.
Electric scooters are involved in more than 50% of violent robberies in L'Hospitalet, according to data from the Mossos d’Esquadra and the Guàrdia Urbana.
Increased scooter seizures in 2026
The incident is one of many highlighting the misuse of VMPs in local crime. According to the Ajuntament de L'Hospitalet, the Guàrdia Urbana has confiscated 502 personal mobility vehicles between 1 January and 28 August 2026. This is 162 more than the 340 scooters seized during the entirety of 2025, representing a 47.6% increase. The rise follows intensified police operations such as Kanpai, Bastió, and Nimbus, which focus on curbing scooter-related crime. These efforts are part of the Pla d’actuació estiu 2026, active from 1 July to 15 September, which coordinates the Guàrdia Urbana, Mossos d’Esquadra, and Policia Nacional in high-incidence areas. Residents concerned about suspicious activity involving scooters or unlicensed premises can report it via the Guàrdia Urbana portal.
Primary sources: Ajuntament de L'Hospitalet, Ajuntament de Barcelona. Reported by elcaso.elnacional.cat, elcontrapunt.cat, cronicanegra.com, lhdigital.cat, metropoliabierta.elespanol.com, espluguesflash.cat, El Caso (El Nacional).
