A 62-YEAR-OLD Elche man has been arrested for stealing items from foreign elderly patients at Torrevieja Hospital.

The thief was collared by the Guardia Civil with help from the hospital’s security service.

Authorities said he had a criminal record for similar offences.

THIEF AT GUARDIA’S TORREVIEJA BARRACKS

The man would pounce in patient rooms when a victim was either asleep or were absent for medical tests.

He stole high-value tablets and mobile phones and on one occasion even took a patient’s bag containing vital medicines.

The Guardia Civil were called in after two reports concerning theft.

Analysis of the hospital’s security cameras was essential to identify the perpetrator.

Footage showed the man wore a cap to try to hide his face and walked down hospital corridors while pretending to use his mobile phone as he looked to find rooms from which could steal.

THIEF ON PROWL

Once he took items, he hid them underneath his jacket.

On the morning of March 3, security staff spotted the man trying to commit another robbery,

He has been charged with three thefts at Torrevieja Hospital.

The robber appeared before a Torrevieja court where he was granted bail.
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