Purse snatching in Sevilla, Spain

What a terrible ordeal! So good that caring people came to your aide. Hope you are healing well.

so sorry that this happened to you but glad for all the wonderful people who were able to help you.

Thank you for the cautions.

Oh, what a nightmare. So sorry for the experience, but glad there were people to help. I do still believe in the kindness of strangers, and am happy it still exists.
Do you think it would have still happened if you had a cross body bag with the bag in front? Perhaps harder to grab the strap?
Regardless, thanks for the details and recommendations.
Hope healing is quick.

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Jennya, wow, I’m glad to hear you’re ok.

Mariaf

I too wondered if he would have tried with a cross body bag. I ultimately decided that the strap on those are also long and had he tried it with a crossbody bag, the fall would have been worse. I detest Fanny paks but decided the looks aren’t that big a deal. Probably safer.

jennya, Best wishes for a strong, speedy recovery, and I hope you are able to travel again when you want. You've shown us examples of the worst and the best of people. So sorry this happened, but thank you for sharing.

Thanks for your impression on the cross body bag.
You know, the fanny pack worn snug bandolier style across the body is all the rage😅 I'll have one of those to wear under my coat in Spain this winter.

jennya, here's to your speedy recovery. You've made a good point that hard copies can come in handy.

I suspect few options are better than a fanny pack.

Thank you so much for sharing and I do hope you are healing more each day.

OMG. So sorry that happened to you. But how wonderful that people were so helpful and kind.

Jennya, so sorry for this ordeal that you went through. It is so kind of you to share your experience and what you have learned with others. Hopes for a very speedy recovery.

I am happy to learn of the kindness of the strangers who came to your rescue. Best wishes as you recover! Crimes can happen anywhere. So sorry you were a victim!

Some motorcycle dude drove up on this very wide sidewalk and grabbed my purse strap from behind. That threw me to the ground as he kept on riding.

Absolutely atrocious, this kind of tactic is very popular in Barcelona at the moment, these thieves are not the pickpockets of yesteryear who use stealth and sleight of hand, this new breed will try to yank off whatever is hanging from you body, even if it's around your neck, and make a speedy getaway. When you confront them the situation can go south very quick as they usually hunt in groups to back each other up, and carrying blades (navajas) to dissuade any would be heroes.

My word! What an awful experience but wow, what an awesome group of helpers you had! +++ to the Uber driver and the Air B&B host. Honestly, so very nice. AND the person who insisted you take money. Wow.

So sorry you had this serious crime against you!! Breaking one’s hip is truly a nightmare at home… but….on a foreign street! Yikes! And the trauma of an attack emotionally also can cause some PTSD!
I love your attitude! You found grace and kindness of an Uber driver and other strangers that cared for you! I believe some angels thru everyday people! We have experienced help while traveling.
You realize how much worse injured you could be!
I know we all can learn from your incident! I try to wear a small crossbody snug…similar to how the new Fanny packs are worn. Nothing loose to grab. But at times we all can let our guard down when distracted…etc. I got my cell phone snatched while stumbling. No fun to feel victimized ever! I am glad police were alerted and criminal found for some justice! Best hope for your recovery and some good travel memories to still cherish!

Sorry for your harm but you had some wonderful people to assist you. Unfortunately it can happen in any occasion but I feel crossbody bags are harder to snatch then over shoulder. Fanny packs are easy to get at as well, especially if you are standing in a crowded metro.

You did the right thing by leaving most of your belongings and money in the safe as well as the passport. 99% of the time you don't need to show it so I always left it in the safe.

Hope you have a good recovery.

I do have to disagree with taxi drivers not speaking English. A lot do speak some English but obviously not enough to have. a detailed conversation.

I hope you recover quickly. Thanks for sharing.

Many here would love to know the name of your travel insurance company, since your coverage was so user- friendly.

I don't carry a purse at all anymore, as I use Scottevest jackets and vests with inside zipper pockets. (I do carry my passport in a neck wallet under my clothes.). After my most recent trip this past May, I even emptied my wallet and left it in my luggage. Almost all the businesses in Italy accepted credit cards, and I used the tap feature from my I phone wallet. I just tucked 40€ in my Bandolier phone case, which has a neck strap and small snap pocket. After your experience, tho , I'm going to make sure the neck strap is tucked under my jacket, or cover it with a scarf.

What was your experience with the police? Were they sympathetic?

Please keep us posted on your recovery, and when you'll be planning another trip. Best wishes from a fellow San Diego resident. Safe travels!

Pat,

Good point about insurance- I did my research before deciding on what company to go with, but you never know until a claim comes up.

My insurance is with GeoBlue. They were overall great - as noted, I had no hospital bill. But two things came up. There was an issue between the emergency room and the private hospital about who arranges the ambulance. Took 4 hours to get it cleared up with insurance. The other thing was they do pay up to $2500 for a plane ticket if an assistant is needed to get home. But you have to be in the hospital for seven days and they need to pre-authorize the expense. Still am very happy with my experience with them.

The police were great. They normally would expect me to go to the station to file the report but when the Airbnb hostess explained what was happening they came to me. Possibly because this type of incident they wanted to nail down as fast as possible. They spoke pretty good English but joked that my copy of the report would be in Spanish.

I have a trip planned to Vietnam and a days layover in Toyoko. Determined to get my range of motion and mobility back before that trip which starts August 30.

And big thanks to everyone for the good wishes. The kindness just keeps coming!!!

Wow Jennya. Big things ahead for you! You are a brave soul! Heal well!
As far as fannypacks. Well….the new version and back in style you wear crossbody and snug. I tried my daughters ystrdy. Even the buckle attachment is in the front. No more wearing them on waist to cover tummy or bum….the old school way. This seemed rather safe…until it’s not.

What an awful ordeal. Happy you were able to not let it ruin future travel.
With regard to the fannypacks, the most popular I have noticed is Lululemon’s. It’s all over Europe. They young people wear it crossbody. I just wear mine around my waist but under my shirt. Don’t care if II look fat.
Our last trip to Paris and London in April I wore a jacket cause it was cool. Quite a few days I just put my ID and credit card and tissues in my pocket which zips closed. Didn’t carry a purse. I find every trip I carry less and less ‘what if’ items. You can always stop to get what you need. I wear my phone on a lanyard, crossbody style and tuck it into a pocket or my waistband when not using.

Thank you so much for sharing your awful misfortune. So many things to be thankful for, at least!

I've just ordered a lanyard for my phone. You may want to add that to your travel items. Thank goodness you were able to keep that! There have been many situations in which my phone could have left my hand (purposely or not!). I'll wear the phone crossbody along with my crossbody purse. Either would be challenging to remove from my body in a speedy manner,

What an ordeal! Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Oh how terrible! But for the kindness of strangers it would have been so difficult. I know that this type of theft has happened in Rome. I remember reading to keep your bag on the side of your body away from the street, but probably not much help if they drive up onto the sidewalk. Let us know how your next venture goes.

I want to nominate you as my official inspiring traveler of the day. The fact that you made it through this horrific experience and can still focus on the positives and look forward your next trip is amazing.

Just wanted to say that I’m horrified at this happening to you.
Best wishes for a very good recovery.

Oh dear. I’m so sorry. I hate this for you. I am happy so much kindness was offered Ed to you though. It’s just a shame it came at such a price.

Somebody tried the same thing on me in Barcelona in 2000. I managed to hold onto my purse. But I’ve used a cross body since then. I’m not sure it actuallys prevent a similar theft though.

I've done as you did hundreds of times. As awful as this was for you, it is truly life affirming to read about the kindness of the strangers who assisted you, and I thank you for sharing the story. Best wishes on your recovery!