A suspected burglar in Ibiza made an extraordinary attempt to escape police by moving between balconies, running through the streets and eventually descending a coastal cliff before swimming approximately 150 metres out to sea.

The man was arrested after a coordinated operation involving Policía Nacional officers and lifeguards at Ses Figueretes, following an incident earlier this week in which neighbours alerted police after seeing a man inside a home.

The suspect was already being sought in connection with three other suspected burglaries and an alleged home-invasion offence.

A Chase That Began Between Balconies

The incident took place on Tuesday when several residents alerted Policía Nacional to a man inside a property.

According to information released by police, witnesses reported that the suspect had reached the property by moving between balconies. The description and direction of his escape were passed to officers, who soon located a man matching the description and attempted to stop him.

The suspect ignored repeated orders and continued running.

As he became cornered, he descended a cliff and entered the sea in an attempt to continue his escape.

150 Metres Out to Sea

Police maintained visual contact with the man as he swam away from the coast.

He eventually reached a point approximately 150 metres from shore. Concerned about the risk to his safety, officers requested the assistance of a waterborne rescue unit.

While waiting for the boat, police continued to monitor his position and repeatedly called on him to return to land.

One officer even removed part of his uniform and entered the water in an attempt to persuade the suspect to give up. The man refused and continued swimming.

He Tried to Reach an Anchored Sailboat

During the pursuit, the suspect also attempted to approach a sailboat anchored offshore.

He abandoned that attempt after noticing that people were aboard.

The pursuit therefore continued in open water, with police maintaining sight of the man until a rescue boat could reach the area.

Rescued From the Water at Ses Figueretes

Police eventually went to the lifeguard station at Ses Figueretes to request assistance.

Lifeguards deployed an inflatable rescue boat, allowing police officers and rescue personnel to reach the suspect.

He was brought safely back to shore and, according to the police account, was found to be in good health.

He was then arrested and informed of the reasons for his detention and his legal rights.

Already Wanted Over Other Suspected Burglaries

Once the man's identity was established, officers confirmed that he was already the subject of a police search request from the UDEV, the Policía Nacional unit responsible for investigating serious and organised crime.

He was being sought in connection with three suspected robberies involving forced entry and an alleged home-invasion offence.

Investigators say those incidents followed a similar pattern.

The suspect allegedly gained access to buildings by climbing their façades and entering homes through balconies or other elevated points. Once inside, he reportedly searched for valuables, with jewellery and cash among the items allegedly targeted.

Four Suspected Burglaries Linked to the Case

Following his arrest, police attributed four suspected burglary offences to the man, including one allegedly attempted offence, in addition to the alleged home invasion.

He is also facing investigation for serious resistance and disobedience towards authorities.

At this stage, these remain allegations. The judicial process will determine the suspect's eventual responsibility for the offences.

A Land and Sea Police Operation

What began as a suspected residential burglary quickly became an unusual land-and-sea pursuit.

Officers first followed the suspect on foot after receiving information from residents, then maintained visual contact as he crossed the shoreline and moved into the sea.

The intervention of the Ses Figueretes lifeguard service ultimately allowed the authorities to reach him without further escalation.

The operation also ensured that the suspect, who had deliberately moved far enough offshore to create a significant safety risk, could be brought back to land safely.

An Unusual End to the Escape

From balconies to a cliff and then approximately 150 metres into the Mediterranean, the escape attempt took an extraordinary route before ending at Ses Figueretes.

The dramatic pursuit has now brought an end to the search for a man police were already investigating in connection with several suspected residential burglaries in Ibiza.

The investigation into those alleged offences will continue through the judicial process.