Shop owner in Gran Canaria sleeps in store over break-in fears
A sports shop owner in Agaete has begun sleeping inside his business to protect it from thieves, following a surge in break-ins that has left residents and business owners feeling increasingly unsafe.
Ayoze Gil is the owner of Tamadaba Sport in the town centre. He says he has spent every night in the shop since Tuesday after a recent spike in thefts. He claims around eight businesses have been targeted in recent weeks, including one nearby premises that was broken into twice in the same night.
“It’s my livelihood and my investment,” he said, explaining that he has invested a lot of money in stocks and cannot risk losing it. He plans to continue staying overnight in the shop until he feels there are stronger security guarantees in place.
The decision has also had a personal impact, particularly on his 12-year-old daughter, who reportedly struggled to sleep after learning her father would be staying alone in the shop overnight. Gil said the situation has caused anxiety for families in the area, as fears over crime continue to rise.
His concerns intensified while he was away abroad and learned of two break-ins at a nearby bar. Despite neighbours offering to keep an eye on the shop, he felt the only way to protect his business was to stay there himself.
Residents have shown support, with some offering to come to the shop if needed. However, Gil says the issue is not new and claims there has been a lack of effective action to improve safety, with some people reportedly intimidating locals and tourists by demanding money for parking in public areas.
He also pointed to other recent incidents, including thefts from a petrol station and the reported theft of a vehicle from a private residential area. In another case, thieves allegedly stole luggage from guests staying at a holiday rental before returning to rob the property.
Gil believes limited police presence, particularly in the evenings and overnight, has contributed to the problem. He is calling for increased and consistent patrols to reassure residents and deter crime.
For now, his shop has not been targeted, but he says the current situation is unsustainable.
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