Mossos d’Esquadra in Barcelona have detained a prolific thief with 27 prior arrests. The 33-year-old suspect is accused of orchestrating at least seven thefts against tourists using a well-known distraction technique. Catalan police stated on Wednesday that he allegedly employed the ‘stain method’ to steal valuables worth more than €16,000.
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The arrest, which occurred on March 3rd, forms part of a wider police initiative targeting the city’s most persistent criminals. The suspect now faces charges for theft and belonging to a criminal organisation, as investigators confirmed he did not act alone.
A Dirty Trick: The ‘Stain Method’ Explained
The ‘stain method’ is a deceptive and often unpleasant form of street theft that preys on a victim’s momentary confusion. Police explain that the technique typically involves a team of at least two thieves. One individual approaches a target, usually a tourist, and deliberately spills a substance on their clothing. This can range from a drink or sauce to, in some cases, bird droppings.
The thief then feigns concern, offering to help the victim clean up the mess. While the target is flustered and distracted by the seemingly kind offer, an accomplice moves in to steal unattended bags, wallets, or phones. Variations on the method include starting a conversation or asking the victim to take a photograph to create a similar diversion. Consequently, tourists are often targeted in busy areas, and travel safety experts advise constant vigilance over personal belongings.
A String of Thefts Across Central Barcelona
Investigators have linked the suspect and his group to at least seven incidents that took place between December 2025 and February 2026. These thefts occurred in commercial establishments and hotels across four of Barcelona’s busiest districts: Sants-Montjuïc, the bustling Eixample, the historic Old City or Ciutat Vella, and Les Corts. Naturally, these areas are particularly popular with visitors, providing fertile ground for criminals.
Police have recently focused on other actions in these districts. For instance, in Les Corts, authorities have been tracking an armed robber who struck three times, while police in Ciutat Vella recently arrested a thief for using the ‘Ronaldinho’ distraction method to rob victims.
The total haul from these seven thefts includes over €2,000 in cash, personal documents, credit cards, and other items valued at more than €14,000. According to reports in El Periódico, investigators identified the suspect as the primary perpetrator largely due to his extensive criminal record, which includes 27 arrests for identical crimes.
Police Crackdown on Repeat Offenders
The Mossos d’Esquadra carried out the arrest as part of Pla Kanpai, a strategic plan launched by the Catalan police force. This plan specifically combats the high rate of reoffending among a core group of criminals in the city. Ultimately, it aims to increase police presence and use intelligence to proactively target individuals responsible for a disproportionate amount of petty crime.
Officers from the force’s investigative unit located and arrested the suspect in the Sants-Montjuïc district. Police brought him before a judge on March 5th, 2026. The investigation remains open as police work to identify and apprehend other members of his criminal group. As reported by 20 Minutos, they have not ruled out further arrests.
