A suspected burglar has been arrested in Fuerteventura after a series of restaurant break-ins in the municipality of La Oliva, including one raid in which the alleged offender reportedly disguised themselves as a nun to avoid being identified.
The Guardia Civil investigation concerns three burglaries committed at restaurant premises between June and September this year, with approximately €10,000 in cash and other property allegedly stolen.
Officers began investigating after receiving complaints from the affected businesses and discovered similarities between the different incidents.
The investigation included an examination of security-camera footage from the restaurants and surrounding areas, allowing officers to reconstruct the alleged burglar's movements and identify a possible suspect.
It was during this analysis that investigators discovered one of the more unusual elements of the case.
In an apparent attempt to conceal their identity, the suspect allegedly carried out one of the burglaries while wearing religious clothing resembling that of a nun.
Restaurants targeted after closing
According to information released about the investigation, the businesses were targeted when they were closed to the public.
The alleged offender is accused of forcing entry into the premises before searching for cash and other items of value.
Across the three incidents, the combined value of the money and property reported stolen is estimated at around €10,000.
The Guardia Civil linked the burglaries through the evidence gathered during its investigation, including surveillance footage and information obtained from the affected establishments.
Officers eventually identified a suspect and carried out an arrest in early September.
The case has now been passed to the relevant judicial authorities.
The unusual disguise is likely to attract much of the attention surrounding the case, but investigators have treated the incidents as a series of serious burglaries against local businesses.
La Oliva includes one of Fuerteventura's biggest tourist areas
La Oliva covers much of northern Fuerteventura and includes Corralejo, one of the island's principal holiday resorts and an especially popular destination with British and Irish visitors.
The municipality has a substantial restaurant and hospitality industry serving both residents and tourists.
Police investigations into burglaries targeting hospitality businesses frequently rely heavily on CCTV because offences are often committed outside opening hours when there are relatively few potential witnesses.
In this case, surveillance footage appears to have played an important role in allowing investigators to compare the different incidents and identify the person they believe was responsible.
The alleged use of a disguise also demonstrates the lengths offenders can go to in an attempt to frustrate those investigations.
Investigation reaches the courts
The Guardia Civil has not publicly identified the restaurants involved, and there is no suggestion that tourists or customers were present during the burglaries.
The information released about the case also does not indicate that anyone was physically injured.
Following the investigation, the arrested person was placed at the disposal of the competent court in Puerto del Rosario.
As with all criminal proceedings, the allegations remain subject to the judicial process and the suspect is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless convicted.
For the affected restaurants, however, the arrest represents an important development following three months in which businesses were allegedly targeted, and thousands of euros in money and property were stolen.
And while disguises are hardly unusual in burglary investigations, the alleged decision to dress as a nun has made this particular Fuerteventura crime spree considerably more unusual than most.
