A 49-year-old British man, a former crew member on a luxury yacht, is under investigation for stealing equipment worth 75,000 euros from the vessel moored in Arrecife marina. The theft occurred in the early hours of January 8, and the suspect fled the island the next day. Spanish police are awaiting a court order to issue an international search warrant as he is believed to be in the United Kingdom.
The incident took place at dawn on January 8 at pier H in Marina de Arrecife, Lanzarote. A hooded individual accessed the luxury yacht by climbing through one of its locks and precisely removed high-value items, including customized fishing rods and high-end foil boards, valued at approximately 75,000 euros.
National Police agents in Arrecife identified the suspect on February 6 as a 49-year-old British national who had previously worked as crew on the same yacht. This prior knowledge likely aided his familiarity with the vessel's layout and the location of valuables.
To evade detection, the perpetrator departed in a nondescript rental car with French license plates, initially concealed by an external cover. Analysis of security camera footage from the marina and traffic controls in Arrecife revealed the driver removing the cover while heading toward Costa Teguise. Investigators traced the vehicle to a ferry arrival from Cádiz the previous day. The suspect did not stay at any hotel and left Lanzarote less than 24 hours after the theft.
The police have forwarded their findings to the judicial authorities and are pending approval for an international arrest warrant, given the man's location outside Spain, presumed to be the UK. The yacht's owner, a resident of the United States, has offered a financial reward via social media for information aiding the case's resolution. The investigation continues.