Costa Blanca

Police dismantle a network of “hugger muggers”

The National Police have apprehended over twenty individuals in various regions of the country, including Alicante, on suspicion of engaging in violent assaults using the “hugger mugger” technique. Using this method, the alleged perpetrators acquired loot and subsequently sent it to Romania.

The police operation, which was coordinated by Europol and conducted in collaboration with the Romanian Police, resulted in 21 arrests, 13 of which were made in Murcia and 8 in Madrid. Additionally, Europol conducted 16 searches in both countries, obtaining evidence in connection with 46 alleged property offences.

Therefore, the case continues to be unresolved until the apprehension of four additional suspects who are currently located outside of Spain and have already been issued international arrest warrants.

The network was specialised in violent robberies and larceny in the vicinity of, as well as in tourist areas of Madrid, particularly in the area of, according to a statement from the General Directorate of Police that reports on the operation.

The criminal modality of the involves robberies that are conducted through a, in which the robbers embrace the victims before stealing without warning.

Clan leaders would disseminate criminal equipment and vehicles throughout the country and control the environment from their typically isolated safe houses. The network would designate these houses as temporary centres of operation.

Simultaneously, one of the clans was accountable for the collection of the stolen products and their shipment to Romania via parcel, where they were discovered, along with five financial assets.

They functioned as a duo. In the vehicle that approached the victims, a male was the driver, while the woman committed the crime.

The network frequently targeted elderly and vulnerable individuals in violent assaults that occurred near banks. Yet again, one member would remain in the vehicle, while the other would approach the victim with his face concealed by a mask, hat, and eyeglasses. The latter would employ any ruse to deceive and rob the victim.

The investigation commenced in Benidorm (Alicante), following a burglary in which a woman violently stole the jewellery the victim was wearing on her wrist.

Agents have since identified similar incidents across the nation, purportedly perpetrated by the same organisation. This organisation is composed of numerous family clans of Romanian descent, the majority of which are dedicated to the repetitive theft of high-end watches and jewellery.

The organisation’s ownership of numerous properties and high-end vehicles in their home nation was the result of money laundering from stolen assets throughout Europe, according to police.

The police were able to thwart a criminal campaign launched in Murcia by locating the residences of those under investigation in both countries.

https://x.com/policia/status/1910964970117792138

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Related Topics:Alicante Arrest Benidorm Crime Environment Europe Madrid Money Murcia National Police Policia Robberies Spain Theft Tourist

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Costa Blanca

Drunk driver caught in Santa Pola with a new license and no lights at night

At the weekend, the Santa Pola Local Police apprehended a driver who had recently obtained a licence and was in violation of numerous regulations.

In this coastal town in Alicante, the police stopped him for exceeding the alcohol limit and using the cycle lane, despite his limited driving experience of only two months.

According to the police force, the incident occurred at night and without headlights, which exacerbated the situation.

The traffic safety regulations have been implemented for all of the aforementioned reasons, as the Local Police have stated on their social media accounts that the risk posed by the absence of lights is not limited to the car.

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Costa Blanca

16 years for sexual assault of his ex-partner in Benidorm

Yesterday, Monday May 5th, a man who is accused of repeatedly violating the restraining order that barred him from approaching his ex-partner in Benidorm and for sexual assault, appeared in court at the Alicante Provincial Court. The request for 16 years in prison for sexual assault and violation of a precautionary measure has been upheld by the Prosecutor’s Office. The man’s pretrial detention is not caused by the request for 16 years in prison; instead, it is a result of his repeated violations of the restraining order.

Despite being aware that he was subject to a restraining order against his ex-partner, the defendant arrived at her residence in the resort city on July 2nd, 2023, with the intention of proposing sexual intercourse. The defendant sexually assaulted the victim after she refused, as stated in the indictment. On July 19th, 2023, he returned to the residence and repeatedly rang the doorbell.

The defendant defended his right to respond exclusively to the queries posed by his defence. The investigation didn’t even take into account whether or not there was consenting sexual activity. However, he denied any wrongdoing and solely maintained that his ex-partner desired to get revenge when filing the complaint.

The victim’s testimony was the primary piece of evidence at trial, and she reaffirmed it in her complaint in every detail. She claimed that the man arrived at her residence despite being aware that he was unable to approach her and proceeded to sexually violate her upon his arrival. It transpired that there had been prior violations of the restraining order. In fact, he returned to the residence a few days later and began to ring the doorbell. The Prosecutor’s Office maintained the sentences it requested at the conclusion of the trial, thereby supporting all of these points.

The reason for the preventive detention in this case was not the sexual assault itself, which is still pending sentencing, but rather the repeated violations of the restraining order issued by the Court for Violence against Women. The measure is intended to prevent the victim from encountering additional risk situations, as the accused, despite having been judicially warned, returned to his ex-partner’s residence on numerous occasions, disregarding the explicit prohibition of approaching. The judge interpreted this persistent behaviour as a clear indication of a high risk of repeat offences and that the accused does not respect the judicial measures. Consequently, they justified his imprisonment as a means of ensuring the safety of the complainant and the seamless operation of the process.

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Costa Blanca

Benidorm company fined €27,400 for posting 81 adverts on the street

The Local Police have initiated 81 cases against a company located in Benidorm for violating the advertising ordinance. The company has erected signs on trees, poles, fences, and walls in Palma de Mallorca—a serious offence that has resulted in fines totalling €27,431.

The advertisements situated on various street furniture in Palma are for the purpose of financing money with vehicles as collateral.

The Local Police issued a statement that outlined the severe violation of Palma’s Municipal Ordinance on Dynamic Advertising by the placement of the advertising signs.

Fines ranging from €150.21 to €300.51 were imposed by the Local Police’s Infractions Service for each sign that resulted in a complaint.

The placement of the last nine signs detected has been fined €1,000 each for repeat offences, as the company continues to place this form of advertising.

As of Monday, the company has been assessed a total of €27,431 in penalties. However, the Local Police have not ruled out the possibility that the fines could increase to €6,000 per sign if the company continues to post these signs.

The police and the Infrastructure Department have already confiscated the majority of the signs.