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

No electricity and few sales at the new temporary location of Torrevieja’s hippie market

During Holy Week, over 150 stalls from the hippy craft market opened their doors on Avenida de La Estación. This was their temporary location due to the beginning of renovation on Paseo de La Libertad and the port “landfill,” where they had been functioning since the 1990s.

The merchants have been operating without power since their doors opened on April 14. Those who wish to extend their workday until sundown, as shown here overlooking the Torrevieja lagoon, have secured a generator.

The City Council has recently began erecting overhead power lines at the intersection of Avenida de la Estación and Urbano Arregui, which will give energy to the region and serve as the first stretch of the street’s greenway.

In addition to these electrical projects, the City Council is working to improve pedestrian safety by altering pedestrian crossings to facilitate market access.

Most shopkeepers expressed disappointment. They are selling significantly less than they did at their previous site on Paseo de La Libertad.

The increase in attendance happened during Holy Week, despite the adverse weather, holidays, and weekends. On other days, the market is relatively quiet, with many vendors closed.

Merchants point out that the location is less awful than the one originally suggested in Antonio Soria Park. At least in this region, pedestrian access and free parking are available for individuals who park their cars in the improvised parking lot close to the Acequión Canal on their way downtown.

Moving the wooden stalls from Paseo de La Libertad to their new position cost the City Council 230,000 euros. The intention was for the merchants to have opened their new stalls by now, even if they were in a temporary location. But it was too late.

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Costa Blanca

Santa Pola man questioned by police for teaching children how to shoot a gun in a park

The Santa Pola Local Police responded to an incident near the town’s Skate Park in which a man used an air rifle in front of minors. According to the police force’s social media sites, the person was showing his son and other children how to use the rifle, including shooting rounds into the air.

The incident occurred a few days ago during the officers’ afternoon shift, while they patrolled the area to maintain the safety of public places. They discovered this abnormal condition, which threatened the safety of youngsters and other individuals.

The local police arrived quickly to the area and reported the occurrence to the proper authorities. Fortunately, no serious injuries or consequences were reported, but the incident has aroused worries regarding the reckless use of this type of weapon, particularly in the company of youngsters.

The Local Police attempted to jokingly highlight the gravity of the situation by wondering whether the culprit is a “Father of the Year” candidate. They also emphasised the necessity of promoting civility in public places and educating youngsters about safety regulations.