Two violent robbers dressed as Santa Claus attempted to raid a jewellery and watch store in Barcelona's Les Corts district on the morning of New Year's Eve. The assailants were unable to get their hands on any of the valuables, but they did assault the store proprietor before one of the red-suited thieves was arrested and the other fled on foot.
The incident took place at around 10:45am, when two people wearing Santa suits and clown masks entered the store with the intention of snatching valuable items. The jeweller confronted them, provoking one of the assailants to hit him in the face with a metal plate, cutting him badly.
Members of the public then managed to catch one of the disguised robbers, who was held down until the Mossos d'Esquadra police arrived. The Mossos arrested the thief and they are looking now for his accomplice.
Meanwhile, an ambulance arrived at the scene to attend to the injured store proprietor, who had a broken nose and a badly cut face. Minutes later a second ambulance took the man to hospital.
According to the Mossos d'Esquadra, the robber who got away managed to enter a nearby station of the Barcelona Metro, so it will be possible to follow his movements thanks to security cameras. Both the uniformed Mossos and a plainsclothes police team were in attendance at the jewellery store.
After the incident the jeweller's lowered its roller door. The police investigation continues.