A 24-year-old Bulgarian woman named Eleonora, originally from Radomir, has become an elusive "phantom" for the Spanish police, despite having over 100 arrests in her file. This was revealed by a NOVA investigation broadcast this morning. The young woman is part of an organized network of pickpockets who operate in the heart of Madrid, but manage to avoid prison thanks to loopholes in local legislation.
According to the revelations, Eleonora has perfected the art of disguise. In order to blend in with the crowd in expensive boutiques, she often dresses representatively, as if she were a store manager. This strategy allows her to approach unsuspecting tourists unnoticed and steal their wallets or phones.
Her activity was detected by Alex and Javier - volunteers from the so-called "civil patrol" in Madrid. These locals have dedicated themselves to recognizing and chasing pickpockets from the metro and shopping malls. "Bulgarian pickpockets are specialists in clothing stores, buses, elevators and train stations", the volunteers, quoted by NOVA, shared.
Despite the shocking statistics of over 100 arrests in the Spanish capital alone, Eleonora remains at large. The reason lies in the Spanish Penal Code, which treats thefts worth less than 400 euros as a minor offense, not a serious crime.
"The fines are insignificant - around 200-300 euros. They often say they have no money, they don't pay and they just leave without going to jail," the civic patrol said.
This legal vacuum allows organized groups to generate huge profits with minimal risk. According to sources in the investigation, a successful pickpocketing group can bring in between 2,000 and 3,000 euros in net profit per day.
While in Spain pickpockets often live as "squatters" (illegally self-occupied) in other people's homes to save on rent, their money is invested in real estate in Bulgaria.
A media team traced Eleonora's documents to her address in the town of Radomir. A renovated house with a new roof, high gates and video surveillance was found on site. Neighbors in the neighborhood confirm that the owners work abroad. "They are not there, they are abroad. They say that Eleonora is a pickpocket - it's 100% true, that's what people say," a woman from the neighborhood tells the camera. Locals associate the family with a famous Roma clan - the Cardarashi.
The civic patrols in Madrid have noted a slight decline in Bulgarian groups recently, but this does not mean an end to their activities. According to Alex and Javier, criminal groups are extremely mobile. "Eleonora is in Madrid today, Barcelona tomorrow, then London, Amsterdam, Paris or Italy", explain the "pickpocket hunters".
Photos of profiled thieves are exchanged between police services and civic organizations throughout Europe, but liberal laws and the lack of a single European measure for petty theft allow repeat offenders to continue their "business" with impunity.