Page 16 - IAV Digital Magazine #621

iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine
Beekeeper Unleashed a Swarm of Bees on Police During Traffic Stop
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fFIQQ8EIFps
A routine seatbelt stop turned into an insect ambush when a 70-year- old beekeeper in Cervera, Spain, allegedly sicced his
bees on two traffic officers.
The incident happened just after 1 p.m. on a Friday along the N-II highway in
the Catalonian town. Police say they pulled over a van for erratic driving and noticed the man behind the wheel wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. What they didn’t expect was for the driver to respond with “I should have run you over,” before refus- ing a second breathalyzer test and threatening to kill them. Then came the bees.
According to multiple sources, the man walked calmly to the back of his van, opened the door, and released a swarm of honey bees directly at the officers. The insects attacked imme- diately, stinging both cops and forcing them to seek shelter in a nearby restau- rant. Restaurant patrons reportedly stepped in to help, guiding the officers to safety while bees buzzed through the entrance.
The man fled the scene but didn’t get far. Police tracked him down shortly after, arrested him, and took his statement. He was released on bail within a few hours. Both officers were taken to an urgent care center and treated
with cortisone for their stings. No one else was injured.
This week, the local news- paper Segre reported the man may have been judi- cially acquitted of assault— though the information has- n’t been officially confirmed.
The bizarre bee attack comes at a tense time for Catalonia’s police force. In May, over 300 Mossos d’Esquadra officers rallied in Lleida to protest what they call an epidemic of violence against cops. They claim that in just the first month of 2024, there were 223 assaults. For all of last year, the number hit 2,550.
Interior Minister Núria Parlon said her office plans to strengthen legal protec- tions for officers moving for- ward.
So far, there’s been no offi- cial word on what hap- pened to the bees. But if anyone’s looking for the wildest use of a natural weapon this year—this might be it.
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine