A 42-year-old man was arrested by the National Police after threatening his ex-partner with a half-metre machete in the Son Gotleu neighbourhood. The victim reports that insults and death threats were constant since their relationship ended.
Officers from the Citizen Attention Group (GAC) of the National Police arrested a man last Friday afternoon accused of mistreatment and threats with a large machete in the Palma neighbourhood of Son Gotleu. The individual, 42 years old, confronted his ex-partner in the street, first with insults and then with physical violence.
The assault: blows, a knife and a machete
According to sources from the investigation, the victim encountered her ex-partner in a public place. As soon as he saw her, the man hit her in the face with a branch, as the woman reported to the officers. When she tried to flee, the aggressor threw a knife at her and immediately pursued her wielding a half-metre machete.
A witness who saw the scene intervened to separate the man and prevent the assault from escalating. A quick call to 091 alerted a GAC patrol, which arrived at the scene. Upon seeing the police, the suspect took flight, but was caught after a brief foot chase.
Arrest and discovery of the weapon
The officers subdued the individual using the minimum necessary force. At the time of the arrest, they did not find the machete, but the victim indicated that he had thrown it under a parked truck nearby. The police searched the area and located the weapon, which was confiscated as evidence of the crime.
The victim explained that the romantic relationship had ended several months ago and that, since then, every time she encountered him in the street, he insulted her and threatened to kill her. “If you report me, I’ll kill you,” he repeatedly told her, according to the police report.
A recurring pattern of violence
This case is not an isolated incident in the Son Gotleu neighbourhood. Local residents have expressed their concern about the recurrence of episodes of gender-based violence in the district. The arrest is part of the National Police's efforts to prevent and act against mistreatment, with special attention to victims who suffer ongoing threats after a breakup.
For the residents of Palma, this incident highlights the importance of reporting any signs of violence and not minimising verbal threats, which can escalate into serious physical assaults. Authorities recommend that victims contact 016 or the nearest police station in any situation of harassment or danger.
Legal consequences and protection measures
The arrested individual was brought before a judge after giving a statement at the police station. He is charged with an alleged crime of domestic mistreatment, as well as threats with a bladed weapon. The duty judge may impose protective measures such as a restraining order and prohibition of communication with the victim while the case is being processed.
The victim, for her part, has received psychological and legal assistance through the municipal services for abused women in Palma. The Councillor for Equality has reminded that the City Council has specific resources to support victims throughout the judicial and recovery process.
The case has shocked the Son Gotleu neighbourhood, where many residents were aware of the harassment the woman was suffering. “She had reported before, but he kept showing up,” commented a resident. The National Police insists that every report is key to activating protection mechanisms and preventing tragic outcomes.
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