In the early hours of last Thursday, the Tropical Park Hotel, located in Callao Salvaje, Adeje, was the scene of a violent robbery. Four individuals, armed with bats, knives, and hammers, broke into the reception area by smashing the entrance door's glass. The assailants forced the receptionist to lie on the floor and demanded the codes for the cash register. They also stole his mobile phone, which was returned to him upon their departure. The loot amounted to approximately 5,000 euros, with no injuries reported.
“"Although they used violence for access and in their manner, there was no violence specifically towards the employee: they asked for the codes and didn't even touch him."
The assailants, described by witnesses as having a “Canarian accent,” fled in a vehicle presumed to be stolen. The Guardia Civil arrived shortly after to begin their investigation. Javier Minguella, the hotel director, emphasized the need for accuracy in analyzing the facts, rejecting interpretations that could lead to demagoguery or partisan issues.
This incident follows other recent events in the area, such as a thwarted robbery attempt at an adjacent hair salon and a bar last Sunday night. The concentration of these attacks has heightened anxiety among workers in the commercial and hotel sectors, a trend observed across several areas of south Tenerife. The situation has led to at least one of the affected receptionists taking medical leave due to emotional distress.
Frustration is growing among residents of Callao Salvaje, who complain about the lack of night patrols in the area. Minguella shares this perception, stating that “there are no police on the streets” and that the ratio of officers per thousand inhabitants is “ridiculous.” In response, the director announced that the hotel would reinforce its security operations and called for increased night-time police presence, as well as more thorough tracking of stolen rental vehicles.
