An Irish resident is sounding the alarm after being mugged on the streets of Torremolinos just weeks after moving to the Costa del Sol.
Stephen O’Mara, from Dublin, claimed his gold chain was snatched from his neck by a man who had approached him – alongside an accomplice – to ask for a lighter.
After sharing details of his ordeal, multiple alleged victims have come forward to say they were also targeted by the ‘scumbag’ pair this year.
The latest incident allegedly happened last Friday night (December 12) near the four-star Hotel Ocean House on Calle Salvador Allende.
Stephen told the Spanish Eye: ‘They asked for a lighter and I handed it over, then one of the lads started to talk to my partner to distract or move us apart.
‘Then the other lad gave me back my lighter and gave me a thank you with a smack on my chest to distract from the other hand ripping my chain off.
‘I noticed and checked my neck straight away and it was gone, that’s when I took my phone out and took their pictures as best I could, telling them to give back my chain or I will use their pictures.’
He added: ‘They ran off behind the taxi rank at the hotel and heading towards the marina.
‘I called 112 and was told as no one was injured to just go to the station and make a report.’
Despite the bad experience, Stephen said has ‘definitely not’ put him off making Torremolinos home.
He added: ‘We’re just more aware that not everyone here is as friendly, but it’s when you talk about it and realise a lot of other people have seen or experienced the same thing, that’s the shocking part.’
Another alleged victim said: ‘It’s terrible there now. My husband got attacked and robbed of his gold chain this year on Calle Saltillo, opposite Ocean House. Badly bruised.
‘Lovely area with lovely bars but just have to be alert at all times. Our friend had the same happen in October.’
One woman branded the muggers ‘scumbags’, adding: ‘Same thing nearly happened to us in August in the same place.’
The Spanish Eye has contacted Torremolinos police for comment.
Read more Costa del Crime news at the Spanish Eye.
