Police arrest elderly Arafo man on suspicion of shooting dead fleeing burglar

[Janet]

The Guardia Civil has arrested an 80-year-old man on suspicion of shooting dead a thief who had just burgled his finca at Arafo. Two men had broken into the property around 10pm last night, both wearing balaclavas, and having bound and gagged the elderly couple who were at home, were making their getaway when, it seems, the husband managed to free himself and gave chase. One burglar got away, but the other was shot within 20m or so of the house and died at the scene. Police are taking a statement from the elderly householder, who, they say, does not have a firearms licence. Neither burglar has yet been identified, and the escapee remains at large. JA

[Guanche]

Wow!!!! good old git Not heard anything about this and we had coffee this morning with all the old gits in Santa Cruz. Not sure what the law says about this type of incident in Spain.

[Janet]

Well it has echoes of Tony Martin, doesn't it, but I'm intrigued by the Guardia's comment that "he doesn't have a firearms licence". This suggests to me that that's the level they're looking at this at ... and it could be a case of oh dear, that gun for which you didn't have a licence went off accidentally most fortunately ... but we're going to have to do you for not having that licence ...

I could be wrong ...

[Perikles]

Sounds like a clear case of suicide to me 

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

The man deserves a medal.

[Michael]

Good for the old git! 

[Janet]

The Güímar court has imputed the elderly man who shot a burglar for murder, and for having an unlicensed weapon. He is not allowed to leave Spain, and his passport has been removed. It seems that the thief was actually shot in the property itself, when the householder went to the bedroom, ostensibly to get more money for the robbers, but returned with the gun. As he shot one of the thieves, the other fled. Although he has been imputed, he has not been remanded in custody, and is at liberty until his case his heard. Beyond these facts, the court imposed reporting restrictions, so little will now be heard until the case comes to trial. JA

[Guanche]

Had a word with Pedro today and he had heard nothing about this, strange? However, I very much doubt that anything will come of this. My take on it, a €600 fine for having an unregistered and uninsured firearm. And that will be that.

[Michael]

The Güímar court has imputed the elderly man who shot a burglar for murder, and for having an unlicensed weapon. He is not allowed to leave Spain, and his passport has been removed. It seems that the thief was actually shot in the property itself, when the householder went to the bedroom, ostensibly to get more money for the robbers, but returned with the gun. As he shot one of the thieves, the other fled. Although he has been imputed, he has not been remanded in custody, and is at liberty until his case his heard. Beyond these facts, the court imposed reporting restrictions, so little will now be heard until the case comes to trial. JA

Is this a policeman cutting the old guy some slack?

I mean he's 80 years old and how long will it take to come to travel?

If you get my drift? 

[Janet]

Police have picked up the second assailant, according to reports on CanariasRadio this morning. Meanwhile, the elderly couple's lawyer says that police were originally called by the wife's sister who, unknown to the thieves, was also in the property, and was a witness to the beating her sister received. Despite reporting restrictions, Diario de Avisos has today reported that the dead burglar was an ex-employee of the elderly man, and had once lost a legal action against his business. A grudge motive - with an hypothesis that it was more than a simple domestic robbery - therefore seems likely to form part of the man's defence in the investigation of the murder imputation. JA