ARCHIVED - Passersby help catch armed teen who stole mobile at knifepoint in Elche
Police in the Baix Vinalopo municipality, Alicante province, have arrested a 16-year-old in connection with a violent street robbery
A 16-year-old has been arrested in Elche after allegedly stealing a mobile phone at knifepoint before his victim, 17, and a passersby chased and managed to apprehend him.
The frightening incident happened at around 8.40pm on July 28, on Avenida de San Bartolomé de Tirajana.
Officers patrolling the Altet and Arenales del Sol area received a call from the Elche Operations Room to deal with a "brawl" nearby, but when they arrived on the scene, they found a group of people restraining a teenager.
According to the victim, he had been walking and talking on his mobile phone when the teen, who he didn't know, approached him, offered him drugs and asked for a cigarette.
When the 17-year-old refused, the teen allegedly became aggressive and "pulled out a knife, threatening the victim with it", according to Elche Local Police.
The victim then chased the suspect, who ran away with the stolen phone, and managed to catch him, with the help of passersby, after a struggle.
Police recovered the mobile and the knife, and the 16-year-old was arrested. He is expected to appear in court this week.
IMAGE: Ayuntamiento de Elche