Supermarket horror in La Cala de Mijas as shoplifting escalates into violent assault

A shoplifting incident escalated into chaos when a 23-year-old woman was arrested in La Cala de Mijas after a shoplifting attempt turned violent inside a local supermarket. Staff noticed the suspect trying to leave without paying for several items and stepped in to stop her before she exited the store.

Tension rose quickly when the woman reacted aggressively. Two employees were reportedly assaulted during the confrontation as they tried to prevent her escape. Witnesses described a chaotic, scary scene inside the shop, with customers present as the incident unfolded before their eyes.

Guardia Civil intervened at the scene

Guardia Civil officers arrived shortly after receiving reports of the disturbance. Officers detained the suspect at the supermarket and brought the situation swiftly under control. Both injured employees were assisted following the altercation, thankfully no serious injuries have been reported.

Police confirmed that the woman now faces charges linked to theft and assault. Authorities continue to gather statements from those involved to clarify the full sequence of events.

Prior criminal record and active warrant

Investigations have revealed that the suspect has a colourful previous record involving similar offences, including robbery with violence. Checks carried out by officers also uncovered an outstanding arrest warrant issued by a court in Novelda, in Alicante province.

Details from law enforcement imply that this was not an isolated case, raising more concern about repeat offending linked to retail theft incidents in the region.

Second woman also under investigation

Another woman, aged 36, who was present during the incident, has also been identified by police. Authorities have opened an investigation into her role in the incident, treating it as a minor theft-related matter. She reportedly has not been arrested at this stage.

Case moves to Fuengirola court

Judicial proceedings have now begun, with the detained suspect transferred to the duty court in Fuengirola. Authorities have submitted all relevant reports as the legal process moves forward.

Recent similar arrests in the area and a crack down on crime

A number of arrests have taken place recently in Mijas following a wave of thefts targeting local shops and supermarkets. In one coordinated police operation, officers detained three men suspected of carrying out multiple shoplifting incidents across commercial zones in the municipality.

Also earlier in the month, two masked suspects carried out an armed robbery attempt at a bank branch in La Cala. The pair allegedly threatened staff with a firearm and demanded access to the safe before fleeing the scene. 

Authorities reported that the suspects were linked to a string of thefts affecting retail premises, prompting increased patrols in busy areas such as Las Lagunas and La Cala de Mijas. Gratefully for residents and tourists there is a wider effort to reduce repeated retail crime affecting small businesses and supermarket chains in the region.