Two men have been arrested in Ibiza on suspicion of property-related offences after police discovered several items believed to have been stolen among their belongings and recovered two backpacks. The arrests took place on Monday, when officers from the National Police’s Operational Response Group (GOR) were carrying out routine crime prevention patrols in the city.
During the patrol, officers spotted two men carrying several bags containing various items. According to a police statement, both appeared nervous and tried to avoid the officers’ attention, prompting police to stop them, check their identities and search their belongings.
The search uncovered tools, tobacco-related equipment and several bank cards issued in different people’s names.
At that point, a member of the public approached the officers and explained that he had just reported the theft of his backpack from the entrance hall of a building in Ibiza town. He also told police that, following the theft, several unauthorised transactions had been made using his bank card at different local businesses.
Police checks confirmed that some of the bank cards found in the men’s possession belonged to the individual who had reported the theft. According to the National Police, the two suspects were also unable to provide a coherent explanation for where the items they were carrying had come from.
Officers were subsequently informed that the backpacks containing some of the items might have been abandoned near several hotels and apartment complexes in the area.
Following further enquiries, police located two empty black backpacks, which were taken to the police station. The man who had reported the theft later identified both bags as his own.
The two men were subsequently arrested on suspicion of property-related offences. The police operation also resulted in the recovery of some of the stolen belongings.