Unraveling the Mysteries of Puerta del Ángel's Unnamed Alley
Occasionally, the destinies of various elements within a city converge at a single point, much like an Aleph—a singular point in space that contains the essence of the entire universe. However, such intersections are often not favorable, as evidenced by the residents of an unnamed alley, a mere extension of the main thoroughfare, Paseo de Extremadura, in the Puerta del Ángel neighborhood of Madrid. The alley lacks an official name, yet it has become synonymous with misfortune as its tenants grapple with a surge in criminal activity.
The shop owners in this small pedestrian alley are far from pleased that multiple thieves have chosen their humble street as a target. Over the last year, they have all experienced a wave of thefts, a cruel lottery of bad luck that has left them reeling. This alley connects Paseo de Extremadura with its parallel, San Crispín, situated in the Latina district. Despite its proximity to other named streets, this alley remains nameless and unnoticed, which may contribute to the lack of security and vigilance in the area.
Upon entering the alley from San Crispín, one is met with Eyre Artisti, a hair salon owned by Yully Rincón. She recounts the unfortunate series of events, stating, "In just a few months, we were all robbed. Luckily for us, after they broke the lock, they encountered another door with a strong lock and decided to turn back." Yully shows footage from a security camera that captures the moment a shadowy figure breaks the lock with a pair of bolt cutters, demonstrating a level of expertise. A lookout waits outside, and as the intruder attempts to enter the salon, they ultimately leave empty-handed after struggling with a locked door. "What did they even want to steal, a few hair dryers?" she laments, relieved that the damage was minimal. Yully has since replaced her old security with a sturdier model that leaves no openings for potential intruders.
Next door, however, the Autoescuela Guía, run by Víctor Jiménez, faced a more brazen invasion. "They broke in broad daylight while I was out for lunch, leaving the door only bolted," he recalls. The thieves ransacked the place, searching for cash—though they found less than twenty euros since he never keeps money in the office. Instead, they made off with the motorcycle helmets used for driving lessons, leaving the premises in disarray. Víctor's worst experience came three days prior to opening his auto school when his teaching vehicle, parked at a repair shop, was stolen. "The police later informed me that it had been found in a junkyard, completely wrecked, except for one door that showed up in a truck in Morocco!" he shares, still astonished by the incident.
Across from the auto school, the optical store Gaes also fell victim to a daytime robbery, as one of the employees recalls a tense moment when the robbers entered with their faces covered. "My colleague was in the back, and she froze in fear as they took the cash from the register. Imagine the shock she experienced," she explains. In contrast, the nearby XM Outlet, a Chinese store, experienced an attempted break-in but was fortunate enough to have nothing stolen despite the broken glass. In another unfortunate incident, the English academy School House M&M was robbed at night, prompting the owner to upgrade their security measures with better locks and alarms, hoping to prevent future incidents.
Amid these alarming accounts, a motorcycle that had been stolen and abandoned since last summer was finally taken away by the police, leaving residents to ponder whether this alley, steeped in misfortune, deserves a name of its own. As crime continues to plague their small community, shop owners and residents in this alley seek not only justice but a sense of safety and belonging in their neighborhood.
As reported by elmundo.es.
