Thefts from the albergue in Bruma

[Bradypus]

A pilgrim who spent last night in the Bruma albergue has recently posted a message to the Camino Ingles Facebook group. 10 pilgrims staying there last night were robbed overnight. Local police have been informed. Following on from reports recently of thefts from albergues in Melide and Santiago it seems as if this is become a widespread issue.

 

[KinkyOne]

A pilgrim who spent last night in the Bruma albergue has recently posted a message to the Camino Ingles Facebook group. 10 pilgrims staying there last night were robbed overnight. Local police have been informed. Following on from reports recently of thefts from albergues in Melide and Santiago it seems as if this is become a widespread issue.

Maybe an organized group sweeping albergues close to SdC?
Portugues and Finisterre next?

Albergue in Bruma has one problem or a freeway for possible thieves. During the night the front garden doors are locked but if you go around the house there's no doors. Easy access.

 

[VNwalking]

The Ingles too?
Just...
K1 may be right.

We pilgrims are low-hanging fruit.
Take care everyone.

 

[Purky]

Albergue in Bruma has one problem or a freeway for possible thieves. During the night the front garden doors are locked but if you go around the house there's no doors. Easy access.

Dude, seriously? I've noticed before that you seem to have instant recall of every nook and cranny on the caminos you have walked. Bends in the road, cafés, where the albergues are, all of that stuff. Would you mind me asking if you have a photographic memory, or a really nifty storage system and millions of photos of your walks? Because I have been at the albergue in Bruma, but that level of detail over a year later, no way...

 

[KinkyOne]

Dude, seriously? I've noticed before that you seem to have instant recall of every nook and cranny on the caminos you have walked. Bends in the road, cafés, where the albergues are, all of that stuff. Would you mind me asking if you have a photographic memory, or a really nifty storage system and millions of photos of your walks? Because I have been at the albergue in Bruma, but that level of detail over a year later, no way...

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...

Not really a photographic memory but I'm very visual type and have an eye for details. Partly because of my profession I'm film&TV director, partly because I was rock climber in my youth and that really demands memory for details even before you start to climb the wall but mostly because on Caminos I'm really 100% and profoundly THERE with my whole being and all the senses
I can draw you a ground plan of every albergue I was sleeping in. I just close my eyes and I'm moving through it. More or less same with the route.

I'll take your post as a compliment if I may

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I often have the same question to those forum members who recall every step along the way of every camino they have walked. Peregrina2000, Laurie comes to mind. She explodes with explicit details of every camino she has done...truly amazing!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...

Not really a photographic memory but I'm very visual type and have an eye for details. Partly because by profession I'm film&TV director, partly because I was rock climber in my youth and that really demands memory for details even before you start to climb the wall but mostly because on Caminos I'm really 100% and profoundly THERE with my whole being and all the senses
I can draw you a ground plan of every albergue I was sleeping in. I just close my eyes and I'm moving through it. More or less same with the route.

I'll take your post as a compliment if I may

Yes, a huge compliment from me, too!

 

[KinkyOne]

One more thing about Bruma albergue. Now this I'm not really sure but I think the doors of albergue can be locked from the inside. Maybe someone took a leak in the night (toilets are across the patio) and forgot to lock them afterwards?

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Kinky, can you tell us how many steps it takes to cross the patio to get to the toilets?

 

[Former member 49149]

Kinky, can you tell us how many steps it takes to cross the patio to get to the toilets?

Ah, so funny! My youngest brother, now one with the angels, lived 57 steps from the bar in his university lodgings!

 

[KinkyOne]

Kinky, can you tell us how many steps it takes to cross the patio to get to the toilets?

None if you sleep on the ground floor dorm

EDIT: Sorry, I misread. I thought you were asking about stairs...
I would say it's about 6 meters from albergue building doors to the toilets

 

[Purky]

I'll take your post as a compliment if I may

You may, and it was meant as a compliment.

 

[SabsP]

One more thing about Bruma albergue. Now this I'm not really sure but I think the doors of albergue can be locked from the inside. Maybe someone took a leak in the night (toilets are across the patio) and forgot to lock them afterwards?

Indeed years ago I remember we could lock fom the inside.
That night there were only two guys and I.

 

[notion900]

It's a stupidly restored albergue. There are windows opening from the kitchen into the upper dorm too, so it's plagued by noise. And the bathrooms are miniscule.

 

[Bradypus]

A number of thefts have also been reported from an albergue in Sigueiro. A local news website says that video evidence links this to a couple with 18 arrests for similar offences but always released to await a long-delayed trial. With no risk of immediate trial and punishment there is little to stop them repeating their thefts once released.
https://www.elcorreogallego.es/sant...torno/idEdicion-2018-10-04/idNoticia-1140346/

 

[Paladina]

In addition to the toilets across the yard, I recall a very noisy sliding door to the lower dorm in the Bruma albergue. I don’t know how a thief could have gained entry without waking everybody up.

 

[mylifeonvacation]

The article that @Bradypus posted states that according to the video surveillance at the Sigüeiro albergue door, the woman (a blonde dressed as a pilgrim) entered the Albergue around 6am when a departing pilgrim opened the door for her (the reception isn’t staffed at that time). Since many are still sleeping at that time, that’s when the robberies happen. The article said that it’s the third time in a month they've robbed people at this albergue (which the article doesn’t name, but has been mentioned on Facebook). It says that the police know exactly who they are (they have been arrested 18 times) “but justice is too slow and they remain on the street”.

 

[Theatregal]

Three times in one month!! Since it keeps happening, I assume pilgrims aren't being made aware of this by the hospitaleros when they arrive to stay? If they were, I would think people would be hyper aware of their belongings and of who they are letting in as they leave early in the morning. Though of course...we should always be hyper aware of our belongings!

 

[Stefystar]

Can you believe it?
On my Camino Ingles few weeks ago I passed in front of the albergue and evens asked information how to get to Maison do vento, where I had booked for the night.
It was so sunny and the location idillic.. I thought maybe I made a mistake here...
I think it is sad when you hear of this things happening.
hope is going to end now...poor pilgrims..I really feel for them

 

[mylifeonvacation]

I thought the exact same thing as you, @Theatregal. It's very sad that this couple is targeting pilgrims, we just have to remain vigilant, even on those last few stages into Santiago.

EDIT: I've removed a comment I made about the albergue in question. I've now seen that there's a poster with the culprits identified from the security footage that is being circulated.

 

[KinkyOne]

I guess this couple are seriously into full board for a few months once the court will do its job

 

[Kanga]

It makes a lot of sense they are getting in early in the morning, through doors left open by the early risers, and carrying out the robberies then. Those of us who like to sleep a bit later can be very determined to ignore any disturbances!

 

[notion900]

Necesitamos multiplicar por 3 o número de xuíces e facer outra macro-carcel en Galicia.

Someone just posted this comment on the Correo Gallego website!
(xuíces is judges)

 

[Bradypus]

Necesitamos multiplicar por 3 o número de xuíces e facer outra macro-carcel en Galicia.

I can understand the frustration. Delays in the legal process can be very long. A problem in other parts of Spain too. Early this year a man for sentenced to 3 years in prison for throwing a homemade chemical bomb into an albergue in Villafranca del Bierzo - an event which had happened almost two years earlier.

 

[Aysen Mustafa]

The article that @Bradypus posted states that according to the video surveillance at the Sigüeiro albergue door, the woman (a blonde dressed as a pilgrim) entered the Albergue around 6am when a departing pilgrim opened the door for her (the reception isn’t staffed at that time). Since many are still sleeping at that time, that’s when the robberies happen. The article said that it’s the third time in a month they've robbed people at this albergue (which the article doesn’t name, but has been mentioned on Facebook). It says that the police know exactly who they are (they have been arrested 18 times) “but justice is too slow and they remain on the street”.

I have signed up to a number of Camino Facebook groups but don't recall reading anything about robberies in albergues. Do you mind telling me which group this is from? Thanks

 

[mylifeonvacation]

I saw it mentioned in these:

 

[Aysen Mustafa]

I saw it mentioned in these:

View attachment 47211View attachment 47212

Thank you, so many groups, I'm on a few others, no mention of theft that I recall.

 

[mylifeonvacation]

The pair have now been arrested: https://www.cope.es/actualidad/espa...r-menos-robos-camino-santiago-20181007_267562

 

[Aysen Mustafa]

The pair have now been arrested: https://www.cope.es/actualidad/espa...r-menos-robos-camino-santiago-20181007_267562

When I was in Portomarin (early June 2018), I went to the bathroom about 3am and found the albergue door open (it opened onto the street). I thought that was odd and planned on closing the door before going back to bed. Note the door was supposedly locked from the outside at 11pm. When I came out of the bathroom the front door was closed. I never found out if anyone was robbed, but I couldn't go back to sleep after that.

 

[Deleted member 43780]

When I was there few years ago the dorm door locked from inside. But two early walkers left the door open. Thanks guys! These are the ones who woke everyone up at about 5!

The sleeping area is upstairs. With open windows to lower kitchen area. Bad set up.

Yes, the gate from the street, to the open area between the bathrooms and dorm, does lock. But, as already told, simply walk around the building! No gate. No fence.