Man arrested at Tenerife South Airport for stealing €2,600 worth of goods
Guardia Civil officers from the Fiscal and Borders Unit at Tenerife South Airport have arrested a 54-year-old man accused of stealing more than €2,600 worth of luxury perfumes and designer sunglasses from a commercial shop inside the terminal. Staff alerted the police after noticing the disappearance of four high-end perfumes valued at over €1,900 and two premium sunglasses worth a further €730.
Officers launched an immediate investigation, reviewing stock records, security reports and CCTV images. According to police sources, the evidence clearly identified the suspect, who was later located within the airport and detained on suspicion of theft.
The man has now been handed over to the authorities. Under Spanish law, theft involving items valued over €400 is classed as a delito and can carry penalties ranging from fines to prison sentences of up to 18 months, depending on the circumstances, the suspect’s criminal record, and whether the theft is considered part of repeat or organised activity.
This incident comes amid a rise in reports of high-value retail thefts at airports and major shopping centres across the Canary Islands. In recent years, several similar cases have resulted in convictions. In 2023, a man was sentenced to eight months in prison for repeatedly stealing designer sunglasses from duty-free shops at Gran Canaria Airport.
Earlier this year, a woman was fined and banned from entering commercial areas of Tenerife North Airport for 18 months after attempting to leave with €1,200 worth of cosmetics and fragrances hidden in her luggage. Last summer, two visitors were arrested at Lanzarote Airport for allegedly working together to steal premium fragrances; they both received fines and suspended sentences after admitting the offences.
Airport authorities say that although most travellers respect security rules, high-value shops continue to be a target for opportunistic thieves.
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