PROPERTY SEARCH
Condado burglar known to police still at large after more than 50 thefts, break-ins and attempted robberies
Police and the resort’s security team are unable to arrest the suspect, despite knowing exactly who it is
Residents on the Condado de Alhama Golf Resort are disappointed at the ability of Guardia Civil police officers to arrest a known thief on the resort, who has targeted dozens of properties over the last few months, taking precious valuables and high-value goods, especially on La Isla and the Penthouses.
Locals who live on the normally safe and quiet resort and who own property there claim that the Guardia Civil and on-site security team know the identity of the burglar, but say they have their hands tied when it comes to arresting him.
Whilst there have been dozens of thefts and attempted thefts, “at least 60” over the last few months according to one local who wanted to remain anonymous, an official communiqué that has been sent out to homeowners on the resort and which was shown to us points to the fact that victims not reporting the burglaries to police means they are limited in their powers to investigate.
It said, “During June, July, September and October 2023 a number of thefts from rooftops and garden terraces took place on La Isla. Whilst these incidents were reported to security, none of the victims chose to make a formal report to the Police, hence none of them were investigated. There was someone who was suspected of being involved in these thefts. On 18 October Irene Curtis, the Chair of the Security Committee attended the Guardia Civil in Alhama and provided all the known information to them in the form of an intelligence report.
“At the end of October, similar offences began to take place on the Penthouses and in early November reports were received of penthouse apartments being entered via the kitchen window and of the flyscreens on many windows being damaged. Similar offences began to occur on La Isla around the middle of November. Since then, offences have been reported in both locations.
“Whilst attending these incidents, security have actively encouraged victims to make a formal report to the Police (denuncia) because without this report, no investigation will take place and the crime will not appear on the records. However, where the victim has been a holidaymaker, they are often reluctant to spend time going to the police station, particularly as they would also have to take a translator with them if they don’t speak Spanish.
“A further complication is that if the victim is not on Condado, e.g. is in their home country, then no-one else is able to make a report on their behalf, so nothing gets done by the Spanish Police, until the owner returns to Spain. This means that many of the incidents reported to security are not recognised by the Police. A keyholder or another representative cannot make the denuncia independently.
“As far as we are aware, at least 7 denuncias have been made to the Police regarding these incidents. The Guardia Civil have attended some of these incidents and fingerprints have been taken from at least 2 crime scenes. However, they have refused to attend on some occasions if it is not believed that anything is stolen or if the owner is not present.”
Condado’s on-site security team apparently know who the burglar is, someone who is said to live on the resort itself. One of the neighbours said that security “have caught him at least twice but they have no powers to arrest him”.
“At the latest count is he is apparently responsible for over 60 burglaries/attempted break-ins,” revealed the source, who also chose to remain anonymous to avoid their property being targeted by the thief. “The fact he’s living in our community and he’s not being arrested and just continuing to commit these crimes is surely an embarrassment to local authorities.”
Irene Curtis, the Chair of the Condado Security Committee, commented, “It is highly unusual to see this level of crime on Condado de Alhama, which is usually crime-free. The security committee and security team are fully aware of the current problems and are liaising with the Guardia Civil regarding these matters and we are assured that they will be taking positive action very soon.”
Alan Burge, President of Level 1 on the Condado de Alhama resort, reiterated how unusual the current crime wave is. “Thefts of this kind are very rare on Condado due to our 24hr security, gated access and CCTV, but a recent spate of thefts has occurred due to one individual. Our security team have been extremely proactive, and I cannot praise them enough in the work they have done to apprehend the individual.”
The email that was sent out to owners about the issue goes into more detail. “The security team on Condado are well aware of what is happening and have been doing whatever they can within their limited powers to try and catch the individual(s) responsible. Neither ourselves or security can understand why action has not yet been taken in relation to these crimes and it is very frustrating when each day that passes means potentially more victims.
“Security have contacted the investigating officer from the Guardia Civil on a number of occasions asking when something is likely to be done and all they are being told is that something will be done soon.
“Security will continue to patrol the affected areas, both by car and on foot, to carry out static observations and monitor the movements of the suspect, but there is not much more within their powers that they are able to do.”
It is of course frustrating that the Guardia Civil, who do have the power to arrest the suspect, do nothing, but it is presumably because they do not yet have enough evidence to make a convincing case.
“The responsibility now sits with the police to take action against the individual,” said Alan Burge, adding “obviously it is difficult for me to comment any further on this.”
Anyone who has been burgled is urged to report the crime to police at the police station, even if it does mean taking the time and effort to go down there with a translator, because that is the only way such issues can be investigated properly.
On the nearby Camposol urbanisation, a similar problem has plagued residents in the past, with an unwillingness on the part of victims to go to the police meaning police cannot effectively deploy their resources where they are needed and leaving suspected burglars to remain on the loose, unchallenged and a continuing threat to the community.
On Condado de Alhama, meanwhile, the fact that others share their pain is cold comfort.
“As a community, we’re very worried,” said one Condado local, and another put it more bluntly: “Many residents are sitting at home waiting for the phone call to say they have been a victim.”
For more local news, events and other information go to the home page of Condado Today
Image: Condado de Alhama
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