Barcelona police have dismantled the operations of a notorious “climbing thief” after arresting a prolific burglar who had terrorised the Carmel neighbourhood in recent months.
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The 37-year-old suspect, described by Mossos d’Esquadra as having “frenetic criminal activity,” allegedly committed at least 16 burglaries between September and October this year.
Police investigators faced significant challenges locating the man due to his practice of hiding in squatted apartments across Horta-Guinardó. According to official reports, he would use these illegally occupied properties as temporary refuges, never sleeping in the same location twice.
Barcelona climbing thief used unique entry methods
The suspect’s distinctive modus operandi involved scaling buildings to access apartments, sometimes climbing barefoot to maintain better grip. Once inside, he would steal jewellery, mobile phones, computers and approximately €6,000 in cash.
Furthermore, his criminal record shows extensive previous involvement with law enforcement, having been arrested approximately twenty times before this latest incident. Police surveillance footage ultimately helped identify the perpetrator, leading to an extensive operation involving multiple units.
Meanwhile, this arrest marks the second major burglary ring disruption in Barcelona within a week. Recently, police operations have intensified across various districts including Sant Martí, Les Corts and Eixample.
Consequently, on October 30th, officers from the Regional Operational Resources Area arrested the climbing thief on Sigüenza Street in Carmel as he returned from committing two additional burglaries. The suspect was brought before the court on November 1st.
Additionally, this case highlights ongoing challenges with property crime in Barcelona. The climbing thief’s ability to evade capture for months demonstrates how criminal networks exploit temporary accommodation in illegally occupied properties.
Therefore, residents are advised to review their home security measures, particularly in upper-floor apartments that might be considered less vulnerable to burglary. The investigation continues as police work to recover stolen property and identify additional accomplices.
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