Following an investigation into a robbery in Alicante where the perpetrators used keys they had previously stolen from the owner while he was in a Benidorm water park, the National Police have dismantled a criminal organisation that specialises in home invasions in several Spanish provinces, France, and Italy.

Four men of Chilean and Colombian nationality, ages 39 to 46, were taken into custody by Alicante investigators in Barcelona as part of the police investigation. As accused of committing public health violations, car theft, burglary, and membership in a criminal organisation, three of them were imprisoned. The inmates were found to have 2.3 kilogrammes of cocaine and over a hundred expensive watches.

After a robbery occurred in an Alicante home, the inquiry was started since the robbers were able to enter without breaking the lock.

According to investigations, the accused criminals had stolen the keys to a house in a Benidorm water park before moving on to the victim’s Alicante residence to complete the heist.

The offenders used the victim, a man who was enjoying the day with his family at the Benidorm park, to steal the keys to his house when he left his rucksack unsecured on one of the sun loungers while he went swimming.

The victim was unaware that the crime had occurred until he got home and discovered that the only missing items were the keys he carried in his rucksack.

Thieves were located
The perpetrators of this robbery were identified by investigators, who also verified that they were a well-organised criminal organisation with prior criminal experience in this kind of crime and a clear and efficient method of operation that was primarily centred on stealing from cars or directly from people. They obtained the keys and addresses of the homes, then proceeded to the residences and used the “false key” method to complete the crime.

They used a variety of methods to get inside the homes, including forcing the security features, utilising the slip method, or even using their own keys that they had previously taken.

Excellent mobility in France, Italy, and Spain
Their involvement in at least seven car-jackings in the provinces of Zaragoza, Burgos, and Madrid was discovered over the course of the inquiry. In two of these cases, they proceeded to the victims’ houses with the keys and robbed them.

Additionally, it was proven that the suspects frequently travelled to France, where they used the same method of operation to perpetrate crimes.

As a result of the actions performed thus far, investigators travelled from Alicante to Barcelona, where they discovered two homes that served as hiding locations for the suspects and the stolen goods.

More than 100 luxury watches, jewellery, consoles, and handbags from well-known brands were seized after a search and seizure request resulted in the arrest of four males and the discovery of items taken during the thefts. Two cars, 2,300 grammes of cocaine, and 1,500 euros in cash were also taken into custody.

Investigators were able to accuse the inmates with crimes perpetrated in the European cities of France and Italy as well as the provinces of Alicante, Zaragoza, Burgos, and Madrid after the homes were searched and evidence was found.

Three of the detainees were ordered to be sent to prison after the police processes were concluded and they were hauled before a Barcelona court.

Measures were conducted to ascertain the origin of the confiscated objects, some of which were able to be returned to their owners and coincided with the robberies under investigation.

More people who could have taken part in the events under investigation could still be arrested as part of the ongoing inquiry.