The infamous “Black-Clad Arsonist” has resurfaced after months of silence in Los Cristianos in Tenerife.
The arsonist, who has been under investigation since last year, set fire to at least 12 vehicles and a scooter overnight, sparking chaos across the Canary Island town.
“He kept the police and firefighters on edge all night,” said an officer who was part of the extensive overnight operation earlier this week.
According to a police officer, several residents along Avenida Juan Carlos I reported seeing the suspect dressed in black, wearing a cap, and carrying a petrol canister.
However, despite the efforts of both the national and local police, the individual managed to evade capture once again.
While last year witnessed sporadic attacks, with only two or three vehicles burned in a single area, in this latest rampage, he destroyed nearly as many cars as last year’s attacks combined in a single night.
The arsonist uses the same method: setting fire to parked cars before fleeing on a motorbike.
“He couldn’t do it on foot; he wouldn’t have had enough time to set so many vehicles alight in one night,” another officer added.
The first fires broke out between 4 am and 6 am on Tuesday (February 11) on Calle Pedro Bethencourt near the Apolo building. Just 10 minutes later, another fire was reported on Calle Rodeo.
Two more cars and a motorbike were set alight on Calle La Marea, near Montaña de Guaza, before targeting Avenida Juan Carlos I, near the market and the Arona Gran Hotel.
Despite a rapid response from police patrols, civil protection units, and firefighters from the Consortium and Volunteer Fire Brigade, they struggled to contain the destruction.
“We are worried, but we are resolute in stopping these criminal acts,” said Héctor Reyes, the Local Police councillor.
Reyes confirmed that authorities strongly suspect the same individual is responsible for the new wave of attacks: “We urge the public to come forward with any information that could help us apprehend him,” he said.
In a previous attack last November, several cars were burned in the town centre, including in the National Police station car park near Barranco de Troya.
The heads of both Local and National Police were set to meet yesterday to coordinate their response and accelerate the suspect’s capture.
Authorities remain on high alert, and residents are urged to report any suspicious activity to the police immediately.
