International Police Collaboration Busts Naples-Based Gang
In a joint operation, the Policia Nacional and their Italian counterparts have successfully dismantled a Naples-based gang. The group was notorious for making special summer trips to Mallorca and Ibiza, targeting elderly tourists to steal their luxury watches. The operation resulted in the arrest of four gang members, with three of them now behind bars. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend another six identified culprits.
Gang Specialised in Violent Robberies
The Italian gang was known for their violent robberies. They would travel in groups of three or four during the peak tourist season to popular destinations such as Palma and Ibiza. Their criminal activities were not limited to these islands, as they also ventured to mainland Spain, conducting robbery excursions in Barcelona, Marbella, and Madrid.
Modus Operandi: Women Scouts and Violent Attacks
The gang employed a unique strategy for their criminal activities. Women were used as ‘scouts’ to identify potential elderly targets. Once a target was identified, another gang member would violently knock the person to the ground and steal their watch.
Fast Escapes and Fake Identities
A motorbike rider was always on standby to whisk away the stolen loot for a quick escape. The stolen items were then transferred to a car. The gang specifically targeted elderly people, believing they would be unable to identify them later. To further cover their tracks, they used fake identities for hotel bookings and car hires.
Related Incidents
This is not the first time such incidents have occurred in Spain. There have been reports of a cyclist faking an accident to steal an expensive watch from a motorist on Spain’s Costa Blanca. Another gang targeting tourists to steal high-end watches was arrested in Marbella. In Valencia, thieves grabbed a man around the neck to steal a €30,000 watch. A British tourist in Benidorm also fell victim to a football con, resulting in the theft of his expensive watch.
