03/08/2026
CAUGHT AGAIN: CCTV CAPTURES SUSPECTED SERIAL BURGLAR IN VILLAMARTÍN – RESIDENTS SAY HE HAS BEEN TERRORISING THE AREA FOR OVER A YEAR
For many residents in Villamartín, this is no longer an isolated incident.
It has become a pattern.
Over the past year, homeowners have repeatedly reported a man who allegedly prowls residential streets at night, jumps walls, enters private gardens, checks windows and doors, and steals valuables whenever he gets the opportunity.
Now, new CCTV footage appears to show the same suspect back in action.
Caught in the Act
According to a resident of Calle Manuel de Falla, the suspect has been repeatedly seen in the neighbourhood for well over a month, although locals say his activity actually dates back to at least last year.
The latest incident happened only yesterday.
At around 3:19 a.m., the homeowner received a motion alert from their CCTV system. After checking the cameras, they reportedly saw the suspect jump over a wall and enter a neighbour's garden.
The resident immediately ran outside.
According to the witness, the man was allegedly trying to open one of the house windows when he was confronted.
The suspect immediately jumped back over the rear wall and escaped on foot before police arrived.
Police Respond Within Minutes
The witness immediately called the police.
According to the homeowner, Policía Local arrived within approximately five minutes, while several Guardia Civil patrols searched the surrounding streets in an attempt to locate the suspect.
The resident has confirmed that all CCTV footage has been handed over to the police and intends to file a formal denuncia with the Guardia Civil to support a criminal investigation.
Not the First Time
What makes this case particularly concerning is that residents insist this is not a one-off offender.
According to several neighbours:
- The suspect has allegedly been operating in the Villamartín area since at least last year.
- He has reportedly been seen jumping walls, entering gardens, checking doors and windows, and stealing valuables.
- Residents also claim he has stolen clothing from washing lines.
Several residents say they can immediately recognise the individual because he has appeared on their cameras so many times.
A Familiar Face
Crime Watch Orihuela Costa has reported on this suspected offender before.
Earlier this year, we published CCTV images after another burglary in which money, a mobile phone and a laptop were stolen while the occupants slept.
Since then, additional victims have come forward with remarkably similar accounts.
Taken individually, these incidents may seem unrelated.
Taken together, they appear to show a consistent pattern of behaviour involving the same individual repeatedly targeting homes in the Villamartín area.
The Importance of Reporting
One issue continues to frustrate residents.
Many people call the police when an incident occurs, but very few go on to file an official criminal report ("denuncia") with the Guardia Civil.
In Spain, this distinction is important.
An emergency call allows officers to respond to an incident, but a formal denuncia creates the official record needed for follow-up investigations and can help establish patterns across multiple cases.
Without victims making formal reports, repeat offending can be much harder to investigate.
Can You Help?
The latest CCTV footage clearly shows the suspect moving between neighbouring properties during the night.
We will publish the videos in the comments.
If you recognise this individual, have seen suspicious activity in Villamartín, or have CCTV footage that could assist the investigation, please contact the Guardia Civil and feel free to message Crime Watch Orihuela Costa privately.
Sometimes one video shows an incident.
Several videos from different victims can reveal a pattern.
And patterns are often what lead to arrests.