Undercover police in Benidorm have arrested two men who were caught in the act of allegedly robbing a British pensioner using a BJJ submission. The incident took place in broad daylight in the popular Costa Blanca resort, highlighting a worrying trend of muggings.
The attackers employed a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu technique known Mata Leao to incapacitate their victims. This technique is gaining notoriety among muggers. It involves a submission that can quickly render a person unconscious. The rise in such methods has alarmed both the public and law enforcement agencies.
A spokesman for the National Police at the provincial headquarters in Alicante detailed the incident.
“Officers have arrested two men in Benidorm who were caught as they committed a violent robbery in broad daylight in a busy central road. The officers were carrying out routine undercover patrol work and saw the two detainees pulling and hitting an elderly British man.”
“The assault continued with them grabbing their victim round the neck and using the martial arts Mata leao chokehold to try to leave him unconscious so they could rob him. The pensioner suffered a cut to head when the two men dropped him after seeing the police. The two muggers were arrested near the scene and police recovered the man’s wallet.”
The two suspects were seen hitting and pulling their victim before applying the dangerous submission. As the police approached, the attackers dropped the pensioner which caused him to suffer a head injury. The quick intervention by the officers led to the immediate arrest of the suspects near the scene, and the wallet was recovered.
The injured man was promptly taken to a medical center for treatment. According to the police spokesman, the arrested individuals are Spanish nationals aged 47 and 48.
They added: “He was taken to a medical centre to receive treatment. The men arrested are Spaniards aged 47 and 48 who have been arrested before for similar offences. They have been handed over to the judiciary ahead of their court appearance.”
Details regarding the suspects’ court appearance remain unclear. It is yet to be determined if they have been remanded in custody or released on bail. The police continue to investigate the incident and the broader implications of the growing use of martial arts techniques in criminal activities.
The incident has prompted local authorities to increase patrols and raise public awareness about the risks of such crimes. Residents and tourists in the Costa Blanca area are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the police immediately.
