The Local Police of Palma arrested two Colombians aged 35 and 59 who brutally assaulted the beach chair attendant in s'Arenal, applying a chokehold known as 'mataleón' and stealing the day's takings.
Two men were arrested this Thursday in Palma as the alleged perpetrators of a violent robbery against a beach worker at Playa de Palma. The events occurred on July 18, around 5:20 PM, on Cartago street in s'Arenal, when the suspects, after refusing to pay for the use of the facilities, assaulted the employee and stole 150 euros from the takings.
Assault with 'mataleón' and knife
According to the Local Police of Palma, the two individuals, of Colombian nationality and aged 35 and 59, had been using the beach chairs for hours. When asked to pay the fee, they responded with insults and attempted to leave without paying. When the attendant reprimanded them, the assailants punched him in the face and body. At one point, the older of the two grabbed the worker from behind and applied the dangerous choking technique known as 'mataleón', leaving him defenseless. Taking advantage of the situation, they snatched the fanny pack containing the 150 euros.
The victim, who was bleeding from his nose and had a gash above his left eye, tried to chase the criminals along the pedestrian promenade, but one of them brandished a knife to threaten him, forcing him to give up. The assailants hid in the vicinity of a nearby supermarket parking lot.
Police search and arrest
After receiving the alert, two patrols from the Tourist Service (SETUR) of the Local Police of Palma arrived at the scene. With physical descriptions and the suspicion that the criminals were fleeing in a car, the officers launched a search in the area. They eventually intercepted a vehicle with the engine running on Marineta street in Llucmajor, where two men matching the suspects' profile were found.
During the search, the officers found 355 euros in cash in the pocket of the 35-year-old detainee, who could not justify its origin. Of that amount, the 150 euros belonging to the victim were seized. Additionally, during the search of the car and in one of their backpacks, screwdrivers, flexible metal rods, and precision tools were confiscated, which are commonly used to commit property crimes.
Both men were arrested and taken to a medical facility before being placed in the Local Police cells. Subsequently, the proceedings and the detainees were handed over to the National Police. The worker, for his part, received medical assistance and is recovering from his injuries, although the shock and violence of the attack have caused distress among the beach workers.
This incident again highlights the issue of safety at Playa de Palma, one of the busiest tourist areas on the island. Workers in the sector are calling for more police presence and protective measures, especially during the peak season when incidents of this type tend to increase. For now, the detainees remain in custody awaiting trial.
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