Guardia Civil Busts Romanian Gang Targeting Moroccan Travelers in Spain’s Palmones Heist Ring

The criminal group specialized in thefts from vehicles of MREs parked in the parking lots of the Palmones area, in Los Barrios, is now neutralized. The investigation conducted since May by the agents of the main station of Los Barrios following the increase in this type of crime in the area has proven fruitful. On August 7th, the Guardia Civil managed to arrest the members of this network in the act. They were trying to steal a car in the Palmones area. Three of the suspects were arrested on the spot. Three others tried to flee, but they were arrested. As they were fleeing towards Malaga, they were apprehended at the Manilva toll booth.

During the operation, the Guardia Civil elements seized frequency inhibitors, stolen items and several rental vehicles used by the network. The six detainees, as well as the proceedings instituted and the seized material, were handed over to the judicial authorities. Two of the alleged leaders were incarcerated. As for the four other suspects, they were released pending trial. According to the Guardia Civil, this organization has committed at least thirteen thefts.

The modus operandi of this network is to target families of Moroccan origin or residing in various European countries who are traveling to Morocco to spend their holidays as part of the Marhaba operation. They then wait for these families in Palmones. They park their vehicles loaded with luggage and personal items in the parking lots of shopping centers to do their shopping. Some members of the network followed the families inside the supermarket to make sure they did not return earlier than expected. Meanwhile, others opened the vehicles and took away the valuables.

To commit the thefts, they used frequency inhibitors that neutralize the car locking system. Thus, they had easy access to the vehicles. One of the rental vehicles used by the detainees was equipped with a powerful inhibitor capable of simultaneously neutralizing the locks of several cars in the vicinity.