A businessman, accompanied by two accomplices, entered a restaurant in La Laguna, Tenerife, and assaulted a diner before fleeing the scene on Tuesday. The Local Police have identified both the alleged aggressor and the victim, who sustained minor injuries.
The incident took place in the early afternoon at Tasca El Obispado, a restaurant on Calle Herradores. Three men entered the establishment: the first wore an orange T-shirt and dark trousers, followed by a tall, muscular man in blue sportswear with a shaved head, and a third individual, also tall and tattooed, dressed in khaki.
After heading upstairs, the men returned a few minutes later, accompanied by a customer who had been dining with friends. Once outside, shouts were heard, and a waiter rushed out, visibly agitated, while making a phone call. The diner, now sporting a bloodied and bruised eye, emerged from the restaurant as the three aggressors ran down Calle Herradores.
A witness from a nearby shop called the police in distress, while the victim’s friends stormed out of the restaurant. One of them repeatedly muttered, “The businessman, the damn businessman.” Tensions escalated as the group confronted the assailants, with the sound of police sirens approaching in the distance.
The man in the orange shirt, identified by the victim’s friends as “the businessman,” began shouting at the victim and his companions. Upon hearing the sirens, he fled through Callejón Maquila. A woman who had called the police shouted after him: “You can’t do that, face the consequences!”
Accomplices Attempt to Evade Capture
While the alleged ringleader escaped, his accomplices lingered at the scene, seemingly caught off guard by the unfolding situation. They attempted to evade the police by entering a nearby discount tobacco shop but were soon identified by witnesses.
The first patrol to arrive consisted of two female officers, who spoke briefly with the victim. He recounted how the three men had entered the restaurant, asked him to step outside, and then, without provocation, the businessman had punched him, knocked him to the ground, and kicked him before fleeing.
Struggling to maintain composure, the victim explained to the officers that he had previously had altercations with the alleged aggressor. He also suspected that someone from Tasca El Obispado had tipped off the businessman about his location.
When questioned by the police, a waiter admitted that his boss knew the suspect, but no one seemed able to provide the full name of the businessman. The victim quietly suggested to officers that the two men might be business partners.
As officers requested identification from the businessman’s accomplices, the man in khaki initially refused, confronting one of the officers and demanding respect However, as additional patrol units arrived, he eventually complied.
Hunt for the Businessman
With more officers arriving, including two on motorbikes, the search for the fugitive businessman intensified. While the original officers dealt with the uncooperative accomplice, the newly arrived units attempted to track him down.
Meanwhile, the victim had repeatedly tried to call the suspect throughout the ordeal. Eventually, he managed to get through and handed the phone to an officer, who urged the businessman to return to the scene. “Please come here immediately,” the officer instructed.
Both Identified by Police
Atlántico Hoy newspaper contacted La Laguna’s local police for an update on the incident. “The Local Police received a call reporting a public disturbance due to an altercation between two individuals, one of whom was assisted by others,” a police spokesperson confirmed.
“A patrol attended the scene and proceeded to separate and identify the individuals involved without further incident. They were informed of their rights and the steps to follow should they wish to file a formal complaint. Both sustained minor injuries,” the police concluded.
