National Police in Benalmádena have arrested a 43-year-old man on suspicion of three counts of burglary and one of attempeted burglary at various hotels in the town.
The man took advantage of lapses of concentration by guests, such as their leaving room keys by the pool when they went swimming, to enter rooms and make off with valuables.
The man was challenged at one hotel and on his way out at great speed he threw away a bag which turned out to belong to a guest at the hotel. He was later picked up by National Police officers and arrested.