Most foreigners here know that a ladrón de bancos is a bank robber, but not in this case… This one steals park benches – banco is also the word for bench, you see.

The Motril Policia Local caught a man allegedly in the middle of stealing two recently installed benches in the Plaza de Venus in the Huerta de Carrasco district. The new benches were part of a facelift, which included the installation of a sports track.

They had been tipped off and arrived in time to find him attempting to wrench the benches free. When quizzed he assured the policemen that the lads from the maintenance department had told him that he could have them…

They took his name and ID card number and let him go, pending speaking with the maintenance department. Nobody was surprised when they told the police that the man’s explanation was a porkie (lie).

Now the police department is waiting to hear from the Town Hall to see if they want to denounce the man for vandalism, which is a misdemeanor, or theft, which is an criminal offense.

(News: Motril, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)