A Bar Targeted by Two Thieves and Mobile Phones Sold for 20 Euros in Orihuela

Orihuela's bar experienced two burglaries within just five days. During the first break-in, the thieves stole five mobile phones, bottles of alcohol, lottery tickets, and 1,860 euros. In the second incident, they forced open a vending machine and managed to take 300 euros, as reported by TodoAlicante.

Officers from the National Police of Orihuela began investigations to identify the perpetrators of the thefts. During the inquiry, the police discovered the identities of the two thieves and those who sold the stolen mobile phones from the burglaries at a bargain price: two for 40 euros and another for 25, according to the same sources.

The police were able to arrest one of the thieves, a 45-year-old Spanish citizen with a criminal record for burglary and property crimes, who admitted to the acts and stated that he had sold the phones - through intermediaries - on the black market.

The National Police are searching for the other identified suspect involved in the robbery and are investigating the connection between the thieves and the individuals who placed the stolen phones on the market.

The theft of mobile phones has become a growing problem in the province of Alicante, and their illicit sale, especially at low prices, is one of the reasons why this type of crime remains so common. Most of the stolen devices are illicitly traded.

In many cases, the value of the stolen phones is much higher than the price for which they are resold on the black market. It is also common for criminals to sell these devices for very low amounts, as in the case of those stolen from the bar in Orihuela - for about 20 euros.

This illicit sale benefits the criminals, who can quickly dispose of the stolen phone and gain an immediate, albeit small, profit. In turn, this creates a cycle where the stolen devices continue to be traded and go unnoticed.

The low selling price also attracts buyers who are often unaware of the device's origin and the illegality of the transaction. However, there are risks associated with purchasing these stolen phones, as in some cases, the device may be blocked by the original owner or authorities, leaving the buyer with an unusable phone. Moreover, buying stolen goods contributes to the perpetuation of this type of crime by creating a demand that "encourages theft and illicit sales," police sources indicate.