A safe weighing about 300 kilos was stolen from a hotel in the Catalan Pyrenees by three masked robbers who used a sled to transport it before throwing it down a mountain.
Three masked robbers broke into the Santuario de Núria hotel in Queralbs, Catalan Pyrenees, on the night between Sunday and Monday, resulting in a daring theft. Taking advantage of the record-breaking snow accumulation, the thieves forced their way in, into a reception area door that is normally left unlocked, and proceeded to break open the office door housing the 300-kilo safe. They cleverly transported the heavy safe on a mattress to the outside where they loaded it onto a sled and traversed nearly half a kilometer over snow to reach the mountain's edge, where they then threw it off.
The regional police, Mossos d’Esquadra, have launched an investigation into the incident but have expressed doubt about recovering the stolen safe due to the risk of avalanches in the area. This raises concerns not only about the possibility of losing valuable contents but also about the safety of the search efforts in the harsh winter conditions. The successful execution of this theft highlights issues related to hotel security in remote areas, especially those situated in regions with extreme weather.
As authorities continue their search for the perpetrators, who were reportedly wearing hoods to conceal their identities, the situation could lead to further discussion on how to enhance security measures at tourist facilities. The incident reflects a growing trend in thefts linked to ski resorts and mountainous regions, where logistics of crime can be as challenging as the risks involved in executing them. Further developments from the investigation may reveal how the theft was planned and the thieves' understanding of the terrain, calling into question the adequacy of local security protocols at such establishments.
