‘Binoculars burglar’ is arrested in Torrevieja

A MAN dubbed ‘the binoculars burglar’ was arrested in Torrevieja for a series of  violent robberies in Guardamar del Segura.

The 52-year-old Moroccan is believed to have used binoculars to choose his victims and determine the right time to carry out the robberies, according to Alicante Guardia Civil.

An investigation codenamed ‘voyeur’ was launched following three robberies in the area of Mirador del Moncayo.

The first two robberies took place in November 2010 when two men walking were attacked and assaulted, the first by a man with a large screwdriver, the second a man with a stone.

In the first attack the man’s assailant approached him from behind and demanded he hand over everything of value. When the victim resisted, he pulled him to the ground and stole his gold chain.

The second victim was hit on the head with a stone, causing him to fall to the ground. His assailant stole all items of value he was carrying.

There were no more reports of similar attacks in the area until last month.

On this occasion the victim was threatened with a large knife and pushed to the ground. A gold chain and ring and a mobile phone were stolen.

Numerous effects were seized during a search of the detainee’s property, although it has not been determined if any of the items belonged to the three men who were attacked.

A large knife believed to have been used in the third robbery was also seized.

By Nicole Hallett