Thieves caught on camera
A pair of thieves who snatched a gold chain from a tourist in Barcelona’s El Raval neighbourhood have been arrested, thanks to footage captured by smart glasses worn by the victim. On Sunday, 28 September at around 11:30 am, a couple of tourists were walking along Carrer del Hospital when two men assaulted them and ripped a gold chain from one of the group. The suspects, described as regulars in the area, fled on foot. Rather than retreat, the victims pursued the attackers. One of the tourists was wearing smart glasses equipped with a camera, which recorded the robbery and the subsequent chase through several streets. The footage clearly shows the moment of the theft, the suspect fleeing, and a second suspect confronting the victims.
Swift arrests follow
Shortly after the incident, the tourists went to the Ciutat Vella police station to file a report and handed over the video evidence. The footage became a crucial tool for identification. The Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia’s regional police force, acted quickly, distributing images of the suspects to patrol units and a plainclothes unit in the district. One suspect, aged 28, was arrested at around 11:55 am the same day, just minutes after the robbery. The second suspect, aged 19, was apprehended later that evening at approximately 8:40 pm by uniformed officers on patrol.
Both detainees have three prior criminal records for similar offences, according to police.
The case highlights how consumer technology can assist law enforcement in solving street crimes, particularly in high-footfall areas like El Raval, which has seen ongoing issues with petty theft targeting tourists.
Reported by elperiodico.com, diaricatalunya.cat, El Periódico Barcelona.
