Court Upholds Three-Year Prison Sentence for Arona Tourist Robbery

The Provincial Court of Santa Cruz de Tenerife has upheld a three-year prison sentence for a man who robbed two tourists near the Las Verónicas Shopping Center in Arona. While the court maintained the jail time, it did agree to halve the fines related to the two assault charges.

The incident occurred in the early hours of August 28, 2025. The attacker, riding an electric scooter, intercepted the victims and used physical force to steal a bag containing electronic devices and payment cards, causing both victims to fall after being pushed. Although the male victim briefly held the attacker and called for help from a nearby hotel employee, the assailant managed to escape. He was located shortly after at a nearby business, where he was identified by witnesses and the hotel employee.

The defense had appealed the conviction, arguing that witness testimonies were inconsistent and that the court had ignored a request from the Public Prosecutor to reduce the sentence to two and a half years. However, the Chamber rejected these arguments, ruling that the evidence—including testimony from police officers—was strong and that the initial guilty verdict was well-founded.

In addition to the prison term, the court ordered the defendant to pay compensation of 440 euros to the female victim and 330 euros to the male victim. The total value of the stolen items will be determined during the sentencing phase. This case underscores the vital role of witness testimony in prosecuting crimes in busy tourist areas, where quick identification is essential for maintaining public safety.