Spanish authorities have dismantled a sophisticated criminal operation that used a motorhome as a mobile base to target tourists across the country, causing nearly €200,000 (£174,000) in damage.
The Mobile Criminal Enterprise
Spain's national police announced on Tuesday 30 December that they had solved 25 separate property crimes committed in popular regions including Valencia, Andalusia, the Balearic Islands, and Madrid. The investigation led to the arrest of four individuals described as members of a "travelling criminal group."
All detainees possessed multiple false identities and documents, with one suspect allegedly using up to 24 different identities. Although residing in Nice, France, the group traversed Spain in their motorhome, specifically targeting affluent neighbourhoods and busy tourist spots to carry out robberies and thefts.
The Raid and Stolen Goods
Officers tracked the group's journey from France to the Costa del Sol. A raid on the motorhome resulted in the seizure of €24,000 (£20,000) in cash, alongside a hoard of electronic devices and jewellery, all meticulously hidden in various compartments within the vehicle.
Police released video footage of the search, showing officers retrieving foreign currency, a gold Franc coin, jewellery concealed inside socks, and electronic items like AirPods and laptops wrapped in tinfoil to avoid detection.
A Trail of High-Value Thefts
The investigation began in September following the theft of a safe from a shopping centre in Elche, Alicante, where around €8,800 (£7,670) was taken. Police linked the gang to this and other serious crimes, including a major heist where €60,000 (£52,000) in cash was stolen from an armoured van in Ibiza.
According to police, the group's modus operandi involved careful surveillance and tracking of high-income and tourist areas before executing burglaries or thefts. Their primary objective was to steal money, jewellery, and electronics for resale on the black market. All four arrested individuals have been remanded in custody.
A Warning for Travellers
While this particular group focused on burglary and safe-cracking, the case highlights the broader risk of property crime in tourist destinations. Ex-detective Rebecca Mason recently told BBC Morning Live that pickpocketing remains prevalent near major attractions like the Eiffel Tower in Paris and Rome's Trevi Fountain.
The arrests serve as a stark reminder for tourists to remain vigilant with their belongings, whether from organised gangs operating mobile bases or opportunistic thieves in crowded areas.
