Spanish authorities have successfully apprehended a sophisticated "travelling criminal group" believed to be responsible for a spate of high-value thefts across the country's most popular tourist destinations.
Motorhome Used as Mobile Crime Base
The organised gang, which was based in the French city of Nice, utilised a motorhome to travel extensively and blend into affluent coastal areas. Their method involved touring regions frequented by wealthy visitors, including Valencia, Andalusia, and the Balearic Islands, where they would identify and then target victims.
The investigation was launched in September following a significant theft in Elche, Alicante, where a safe containing €8,800 was stolen. Police work connected this incident to a wider pattern of crimes, most notably a €60,000 theft from an armoured van on the island of Ibiza.
Widespread Economic Damage and Seizures
The total economic damage inflicted by the group's 25 confirmed property crimes is estimated to be close to £174,000. The four suspects were finally arrested by officers, who conducted a search of their mobile home.
During the operation, police seized substantial evidence and proceeds from the crimes. This included €24,000 in cash, various electronic devices, and an assortment of jewellery, all of which had been concealed within the motorhome.
Crackdown on Tourist Crime Networks
This arrest highlights ongoing concerns about organised crime networks specifically preying on tourists in Europe. The use of a motorhome allowed the group considerable mobility and made them harder for local law enforcement to track.
The successful takedown of this group by Spanish police serves as a significant warning to other travelling criminal operations and offers some reassurance to tourists visiting Spain's hotspots. Authorities continue to urge visitors to remain vigilant with their valuables in crowded and affluent areas.
