Three masked individuals burst into a jewellery store at the El Mirador shopping centre in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on Tuesday night and fled in a stolen car. The National Police are investigating the sixth violent robbery of the year on the island.
Three individuals with covered faces and black hoods robbed a jewellery store located on the upper floor of the El Mirador shopping centre, one hour before closing. The robbers entered the premises with a fire extinguisher, which they activated to avoid being identified, and with hammers they broke the shop windows and display cases. In just two minutes, they stole jewellery of an undetermined value and fled on foot to the outdoor parking lot, where a vehicle was waiting for them.
A stolen car from the airport as the getaway vehicle
According to sources from the investigation, the car used in the escape is a dark grey Cupra Formentor that had been stolen on Monday from the parking lot of a car rental company at Gran Canaria airport, along with two other cars. The National Police officers, who have taken over the case, are reviewing the security cameras from the shopping centre and surrounding areas to reconstruct the escape route. It is not ruled out that a fourth accomplice was waiting at the wheel.
Six violent robberies so far this year in Gran Canaria
This robbery adds to a worrying series of violent thefts on the island. In February, three men attacked the collectors at a shopping centre in San Fernando (San Bartolomé de Tirajana) and took 90,000 euros armed with knives. In April, five masked individuals robbed a jewellery store in Carrizal, also using hammers and a stolen car. That same month, twelve thieves wrecked a gaming hall in Telde, causing damages worth 20,000 euros. The National Police are keeping several lines of investigation open to determine if the same groups are behind these incidents.
The employees of the jewellery store that was robbed on Tuesday did not suffer physical injuries, although they are in shock. The El Mirador shopping centre, located in a high-traffic area, has reinforced security following the incident. Residents of the capital of Gran Canaria are concerned about the frequency of these episodes, which affect the tranquillity of daily life on the island.
The National Police are asking anyone with information about the whereabouts of the dark grey Cupra Formentor or about the suspects to contact 091. The value of the loot and the identity of the robbers are still unknown, but the investigation is progressing with the analysis of the security footage.
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