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Benidorm Brits hit by brekkie buffet bandit who pinched their bags while they piled plates

Cops reckon they have caught the villain who selected victims as they made their way to their first meal of the day in the Spanish resorts holiday hotels

[0_British-Tourists-In-Benidorm-As-UK-Coronates-King-Charles-III.jpg]

(Image: Getty Images)

British holidaymakers in Benidorm have been targeted by a breakfast buffet bandit who pinched their bags while they piled up their plates. Cops reckon they have caught the villain who selected victims as they made their way to their first meal of the day in the Spanish resorts holiday hotels.

The crafty crook waited for folk to go for grub at self-service breakfast bars then pinched handbags, phones and wallets they had left behind to secure tables. He stuffed his booty under an item of clothing to make his escape.

Police said a number of UK tourists were among the victims of the thief who toured the resorts hotels.

[The Spanish city of Benidorm]

Benidorm is a popular destination for Brits(Image: Getty Images)

A National Police spokesman said a 43-year-old man had been arrested in Benidorm as the alleged perpetrator of 15 thefts in different hotels.

The detainee entered the dining rooms during breakfast hours and stole the handbags, phones, or wallets of hotel guests using the distraction theft method, they said.

The investigation began after analysing a series of complaints filed in which the victims described the same modus operandi.

All of them indicated that while they were having breakfast in the dining rooms of different hotels, they left their handbags hanging on the backs of their chairs and, when they got up for a few moments to serve themselves breakfast, they found upon returning that their belongings had disappeared.

The police investigation made it possible to determine that the alleged perpetrator previously selected his victims from the area outside the dining rooms.

Once he spotted an opportunity he entered the establishment and headed to the chosen table.

After taking advantage of the moment when the victim was away, he positioned himself next to the back of the chair and, using a garment as a cover to conceal his movements, stole the handbag without arousing suspicion, later leaving the place with the stolen items hidden under the aforementioned garment.

[A Spanish police car]

Spanish police believe they have caught the suspect(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

As a result of the investigative work carried out, officers managed to identify the alleged person responsible for the incidents and, after setting up a police operation, he was located and arrested.

The suspect has been bailed to appear in court.

jerry.lawton@dailystar.co.uk

Ends

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