Spanish police have dismantled a sophisticated criminal gang that used a motorhome as a mobile base to steal almost €200,000 from tourists in popular coastal regions.
The Mobile Crime Spree
According to Spain's National Police, the four suspects carried out up to 25 burglaries and thefts while travelling across affluent tourist areas. Their targets included locations in Valencia, Andalusia, the Balearic Islands, and Madrid.
The group's journey began in Nice on France's south-east coast, which was their place of residence. They then drove the motorhome to the Costa del Sol, where police believe they intended to commit further crimes. The gang's coordinated operations involved conducting surveillance and tracking potential targets before striking.
The Hidden Haul and Arrests
Officers finally apprehended the four individuals in the beach resort of Benalmádena, a town popular with British holidaymakers. A search of their motorhome revealed a sophisticated setup with various hidden compartments used to conceal stolen goods.
The recovered loot included:
- €24,000 in cash plus €1,000 in various foreign currencies
- A 100-franc gold coin
- Numerous high-value electronic devices including laptops, iPads, and cameras
- Jewellery, sunglasses, and a drone
Body-worn footage from the search shows police finding gold rings and bracelets hidden inside a long sock. The gang's most significant single theft was £52,000 taken from an armoured van in Ibiza.
A Network of False Identities
Police investigation revealed that the suspects, who had no fixed address in Spain, operated with numerous false documents. One member of the gang possessed as many as 24 different identities, which helped them evade detection during their crime spree.
The Policía Nacional stated that the group's objective was to steal money, jewellery, and electronic devices for subsequent sale on the black market. Their criminal activities caused total economic damage approaching €200,000 (approximately £174,586).
The investigation began in September after a safe containing £7,600 was stolen from a shopping centre in Elche, Alicante. Detectives eventually linked the gang to ten other crimes before making their move on the motorhome in Benalmádena.
All four suspects have been remanded into custody following a court appearance. The police force announced on social media platform X that they had successfully "dismantled" the organised group that was travelling across Spain specifically to commit robberies and thefts.
