Intruders occupy house in Playa de Palma and call the police upon the owner's return

Four individuals have been arrested in the tourist area of Playa de Palma for occupying a residence. The owner, alerted by the alarm, returned from a trip to find the house occupied and looted.

The National Police have arrested four Spanish nationals, two men and two women, as the alleged perpetrators of a crime of home invasion in a residence in the tourist area of Playa de Palma. The events occurred last Tuesday around 22:15, when the alarm centre alerted the owner that an intrusion had been detected in his home.

The owner, who had been away for two weeks on a trip, rushed back to the house. Upon arrival, he found the gate forced, the chain ripped off, and the front door violently broken. Additionally, the alarm system and security cameras had been completely removed.

While he was trying to access the property, the occupiers, who were inside, called 091 to report that a man was climbing the facade to enter. The woman who made the call assured the officers that she had been living there for weeks after having bought the house for 1,500 euros.

Several patrols from the National Police's Motorcycle Group arrived at the scene. After interviewing the owner and verifying the damages, the officers entered the residence and confirmed that the chain of the gate was missing, the front door was forced, and the alarm system had been ripped out. They also found six minors inside, who were handed over to a relative.

The owner reported the theft of personal clothing, books, living room and kitchen furniture, as well as tools and paint cans that he kept in a storage area on the property. Given the overwhelming evidence, the officers proceeded to arrest the four individuals.

The swift police action allowed for the identification of the occupiers and the return of the property to its rightful owner. The detainees have been placed at the disposal of the judiciary, accused of home invasion.

This incident highlights the issue of squatting in tourist areas of Mallorca, where owners often face lengthy legal processes to recover their homes. In this case, the intervention of the alarm and the rapid police response facilitated the resolution of the incident.

The National Police recommends that homeowners in tourist areas take extra precautions and have security systems that alert them to any intrusion. They also advise against leaving the property unattended for long periods and maintaining contact with neighbours or security services.