Police in the Andalusian town of Ronda have arrested a 31-year-old man in connection with the burglary of a local bar, thanks to an unusual but telling clue: the suspect left his mobile phone behind at the scene. The arrest also links him to three other vehicle break-ins in the area.
The original incident took place on the night of 24 May, when the alarm system of a small family-run bar on the outskirts of Ronda was triggered at around 03:15 a.m. Upon arriving, the owners discovered signs of forced entry — a rear window had been pried open — and the till emptied of cash.
A Policía Nacional forensic team soon found a mobile phone on the floor near the counter, believed to have been dropped in the burglar’s haste. Using the device’s IMEI number and associated account details, officers were able to identify a suspect known for prior property crimes in the region.
After weeks of surveillance, the man was located and arrested at a flat in a neighbouring town on 2 July. During the arrest, police recovered several tools commonly used for forced entry, including screwdrivers, gloves, and a torch. In questioning, the suspect reportedly denied involvement, but forensic analysis of fingerprints and mobile data further linked him to the burglary.
Investigators now say the same individual is suspected in three additional thefts from parked vehicles in central Ronda, carried out between late May and mid-June. Items taken included handbags, electronic devices, and wallets — some of which were later found discarded in nearby bins.
The 31-year-old has been charged with burglary, theft from vehicles, and criminal damage, and has been remanded in preventive custody pending trial. Police have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges if further links are established through digital evidence.
In a statement, local business owners praised the swift work of police and expressed frustration over the rise in petty crime targeting small establishments. One local bar manager said:
“We’re all struggling to stay afloat in the current climate. The last thing we need is someone breaking in and taking the little we earn.”
Authorities in Ronda have urged businesses to review their security systems and reminded the public that even small traces of evidence — like a forgotten phone — can make all the difference in an investigation.
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