Teen Arrested Following Machete Threat at Tenerife Arcade

An attempted robbery unfolded early Monday morning at an arcade located in the Ofra district of Santa Cruz, Tenerife, sending shockwaves through the local community. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about youth crime and public safety in the area.

According to reports, two young men approached the arcade with malicious intent. One of the suspects was dressed in a black tracksuit, with a hood obscuring his face, while the other brandished a machete or a similar large bladed weapon. The quick thinking of the arcade staff played a crucial role in preventing the robbery; upon recognizing the imminent threat, they swiftly locked the doors, effectively thwarting the assailants’ plans.

Witnesses at the scene described a tense atmosphere as the suspects fled the arcade in a small white vehicle. Shortly after the attempted robbery, a patrol from the Local Police spotted a white Seat Ibiza rental car speeding through the upper area of El Cardonal. When officers attempted to pull the vehicle over, the driver accelerated, making a dangerous dash towards the Carretera General del Rosario and in the direction of Hospital La Candelaria.

The police pursuit intensified as additional units were called in to assist. The suspects attempted to enter the TF-5 motorway at the Las Moraditas de Taco roundabout but lost control of the vehicle, crashing into the roadside. In a desperate bid to escape, both individuals abandoned the car and fled on foot, leaving behind personal belongings, including a mobile phone believed to belong to the driver.

A comprehensive search operation was swiftly initiated across the neighborhoods of Las Moraditas de Taco and San Luis Gonzaga. Officers from the Local Police of Santa Cruz, the Local Police of La Laguna, and the National Police participated in the manhunt, supported by senior command staff. Their efforts paid off when one suspect was apprehended after matching the description provided by witnesses: a young, slim male clad in a black hooded tracksuit.

Inside the abandoned rental vehicle, police discovered several items typically associated with violent robberies. These included a crowbar, a garden saw, gloves, and a balaclava, all of which raised alarm bells regarding the suspects’ intentions. The arrested individual, an 18-year-old from Tenerife, later confessed to his involvement in the attempted robbery at the arcade, shedding light on the events that transpired that morning.

The National Police have since launched an investigation to identify the second suspect and to explore potential links to other recent robberies in the Santa Cruz–La Laguna metropolitan area. Authorities are particularly interested in examining possible connections to a violent robbery that occurred at a 24-hour shop near Parque La Granja the previous Friday. In that incident, a crowbar was reportedly used to threaten the lone employee on duty, raising concerns about a pattern of escalating violence.

The investigation is ongoing, with police working diligently to uncover further details surrounding the case. As the community grapples with the implications of this attempted robbery, many residents are left wondering about the safety measures in place to protect them from similar incidents in the future.

Local authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating youth crime and ensuring public safety. As the investigation unfolds, the community hopes for swift justice and a resolution that brings peace of mind to the area.

Key points

• Two young men attempted to rob an arcade in Santa Cruz, Tenerife, early Monday morning.
• One suspect was armed with a machete, while the other wore a black tracksuit with a hood.
• Arcade staff successfully locked the doors, preventing the robbery from occurring.
• Witnesses reported the suspects fleeing in a white Seat Ibiza rental car.
• A police pursuit ensued, leading to a crash and the suspects abandoning the vehicle.
• One suspect, an 18-year-old from Tenerife, was arrested and confessed to the crime.
• Police discovered items associated with violent robberies inside the rental vehicle.
• The investigation is ongoing, with efforts to identify the second suspect and links to other robberies.
• Authorities are encouraging community vigilance in light of the recent crime wave.