A sneaky thief steals from foreign tourists in Spain at motorway service stations

A THIEF pretended as a lost tourist in order to rob tourists at motorway services areas in Valencian Community and Murcia.

The 52-year-old Romanian has been accused of at least 37 crimes.

A court in Villena (province of Alicante) sentenced him to prison after discovering that he had been on the run for authorities throughout Spain.

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The man’s robbery routine involved him taking the guise of a ‘lost’ traveller who would approach tourists with large-sized maps to request directions.

He strategically placed maps on bags, back packs and other items of personal property that he intended to steal.

If the victim found out what he had been up to, then he would be arrested. Wouldn’t hesitate using violence.

He drove around in different cars, all with foreign plates and no name on them to hide himself..

The Guardia Civil identified him by analyzing security cameras and crime reports.

A number of arrest warrants were issued against the man and he was banned from leaving Spain after committing similar crimes.

He was the subject of several court cases.

The Guardia estimated that his AP-7 service station antics netted him around €32,000 of jewellery, mobile phones, and other personal effects over the last year.

The possibility that others were fooled unknowingly by his map trick is not ruled out.

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