Three people have been arrested in connection with the alleged homicide of an 88-year-old British tourist who was violently robbed in Tenerife. The National Police confirmed the breakthrough in the investigation into the death of the man, who suffered severe head trauma after struggling with the main thief during the attack in Los Cristianos, a popular tourist area in the south of Tenerife.
Attack on Elderly Couple Celebrating Birthday
The incident occurred on Wednesday, June 17, when the man and his 79-year-old wife were attacked on Asomada del Morisco Street, a street parallel to Juan Carlos I Avenue, near an apartment complex. The couple had traveled to the island to celebrate the man's birthday. During the struggle with the main perpetrator of the theft, the elderly man fell to the ground and sustained serious trauma to the head. He subsequently went into cardiorespiratory arrest.
Health personnel from an ambulance of the Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC) initially recovered his pulse and transferred him to a hospital in serious condition. However, just 48 hours later, on Friday, June 19, the British tourist died from his injuries.
Police Investigation and Arrests
The investigation was carried out by agents of the National Police of the South Police Station of Tenerife. Officers from the Citizen Security Brigade and local police collected witness statements and reviewed security camera footage from the street where the attack occurred. On the afternoon of June 17, they gathered information on the physical appearance and clothing of the alleged perpetrator, but initial searches of the area failed to locate the suspect. Police returned several times to gather further information.
Following the victim's death, three individuals were arrested on suspicion of homicide and violent assault. Police have not yet released details about the suspects, including their ages, nationalities, or the location of their arrests. It is believed the three were part of a gang that may have stalked the elderly couple with the intention of robbing them.
Community Response
The case has caused shock among residents and visitors in Los Cristianos, one of the busiest tourist areas in the south of the island. Several people have laid flowers near the building where the attack occurred, and messages of remembrance have been shared in memory of the British tourist. The investigation continues as police work to determine the full circumstances of the robbery and fatal assault.
