Alleged bag-snatcher arrested in La Linea

A MAN has been arrested in La Linea by the National Police and remanded in custody to await trial accused of being behind 20 bag-snatching incidents in the town.

Investigations began in September when women started to report having had their bag snatched by a person on a motorbike who then sped away. Due to the similarities the police force suspected the same person could be behind all the attacks and set up surveillance in the area where they were carried out.

In the meantime, thanks to citizen collaboration, officers found the place where the thief emptied the stolen handbags, taking cash, jewellery and mobile phones, then dumping the rest.

Officers, both in uniform and plain clothes, were posted nearby and eventually a man was spotted on a black motorcycle with no number plate driving up and down streets, possibly looking for new victims.

Although he sped away upon spotting the officers, they recognised the 28-year-old, well known in the area for other offenses, and went to his home to arrest him.