OPPORTUNIST CAR THIEVES AT WORK

Where - CALLE FRANCISCO ALONSO LORENZO
The side road between KFC and Merca China - at the back of the Habaneras Centre
We'd parked our van, locked, in a designated parking area whilst we nipped into the Merca China for literally only 5 minutes. When we returned, approaching from the back, my husband pressed his key fob to open the doors. We didn't hear any audible sound but the two front door latches were up so we just got in and drove away.
On reaching home, when we got out and went to lock the van, there was no response from the fob, my husband then went to manually lock the door and discovered that the lock had been damaged, by either a screw driver or a 'bump key' and the whole lock system has been damaged beyond repair. We cannot put our key into the lock at all.
Once we realised that someone had tried to open the doors we checked inside. At first, nothing seemed to have been taken but then my husband discovered that his tool kit that had been in the door holdall was missing. It wasn't an expensive tool kit, maybe just around 15 euros but the cost of replacing the lock system will be astronomical!!
As I said, we were only gone about 5 minutes, there was no-one around when we left the van although we did see someone sitting on the wall further down the road maybe 50 yards. He may have been an innocent passerby or he could have been a lookout.
This is the first bad experience that we have had since coming here - I know that this goes on all over the place, but you just never ever expect it to happen to you personally.
It would be interesting to know if anyone else has been targeted in this area.
Don't know if it is worthwhile going to the local police station in Rojales now or the Gardia Civil station just before the Commercial Centre - the damage has been done and now we will have to find someone who can repair the lock system. As I mentioned, we have a van not a car so I don't know if this will make a difference or not
Sorry to have gone on a bit but apart from being SO angry, I am really upset too!!
Calamitykay

So sorry to hear, I would suggest that you report it to the police in any case, as previous posts about incidents & people saying if it's not reported the police won't be aware of the going's on. That's the problem with any robbery it makes you feel so annoyed & violated, crime seems to be on the increase of late - & it's not even in the 'holiday season' yet.... So sorry

Thank you Sara, that's so kind of you to reply. I just wanted to let other people know that there are scum out there today (probably every day I know) and to be extra vigilant.
I have actually copied this post to the Police's N332's Facebook site too now - I am hoping they will contact me in due course.
Kay

You need to contact your insurance company and they will want a police report number then you can get the locks repaired

Sorry to hear of your experience, when you have time it should be reported to the Police.

Yes anger is the first thing then the replacement costs. I would urge you to report it
to the Gardia so they are aware and my be able to use cameras in the area to get a description.

That's awful...no wonder you're upset. There seems to be a lot of burglary in the area at the moment. Several people in the golf course area have been burgled or mugged, and beware in supermarket car parks. If you see anyone lurking with a clip board, get in your car and lock the door - they are distraction thieves. Also in Consum and Lidl carparks, tyres have been cut. You get in your car, someone knocks on the car window to tell you - you get out to look and your bag is snatched. Are pepper sprays legal her???

Are pepper sprays legal her???

According to Wikpedia, pepper spray is legal in Spain. It's not much use though, unless you've got a bit of warning. It's no use carrying it in your bag for instance, if that's what they're going to snatch.

Approved pepper spray made with 5% CS is available to anyone older than 18 years.
OC pepper spray, recently adopted for some civilian use (e.g., one of 22 grams, with no registration DGSP-07-22-SDP, is approved by the Ministry of Health and Consumption).

More lke a 12 bore shotgun is needed,,,,,

Pete31 wrote:More lke a 12 bore shotgun is needed,,,,,

as a fellow Taff Pete, my hubby would agree with your statement!!
CK