Chase and arrest at Zenia Boulevard: Orihuela Local Police detain two suspects over e-scooter theft

Orihuela Local Police have reported the arrest of two individuals following a foot chase inside the Zenia Boulevard shopping centre in the Orihuela Costa area. The incident was shared on the force’s official social media channels along with video footage.

According to police information, officers identified two suspects allegedly attempting to steal electric scooters parked near several shops within the complex. When the suspects noticed the police presence, they fled, leading to a foot chase through the public areas of the shopping centre.

Video released by the police shows officers pursuing and detaining the suspects within a short period of time. No injuries were reported, and the scooters were recovered and returned to their owners. The investigation remains ongoing.

Factual background: electric scooter thefts in Alicante province

While there is no publicly available official breakdown of electric scooter thefts by municipality in the Vega Baja or Orihuela, police operations and regional media reports have documented multiple cases across Alicante province.

In 2023, Costa Blanca police arrested a man suspected of stealing more than 13 electric scooters from commercial areas and public spaces, with the total value of the stolen property estimated at nearly €12,000.

In 2025, another individual was detained in Benidorm after police established that he regularly travelled to the city specifically to steal electric scooters parked outside supermarkets. The financial damage in that case exceeded €7,000.

In addition, police in other parts of the Valencian Community have dismantled criminal groups involved in the large-scale theft of bicycles and scooters, with some cases involving more than 180 stolen vehicles.

These documented incidents indicate that electric scooter theft has become a recurring issue in busy tourist and commercial areas, particularly in locations with high pedestrian traffic.