Civil Guard Captures Thief Preying on Elderly in Alicante Supermarkets

Supermarkets were his hunting ground; the elderly, his victims. He posed as a customer, selecting his 'prey' - mostly women - and stole their wallets and handbags. With credit cards in hand, he made ATM withdrawals and purchased goods at petrol stations, tobacconists, or phone shops. The Civil Guard located the 44-year-old thief at the Fontcalent Penitentiary Centre, where he had been remanded in custody for other offences, according to the Armed Institute.

'Operation Tirio', conducted by the Investigation Area of the Civil Guard's Main Post in Villena, began in 2023 after detecting up to 28 thefts in food establishments in Alicante and Murcia. The victims were mainly elderly women who regularly shopped at these locations.

The perpetrator entered supermarkets posing as a customer, selected his victim, and, taking advantage of moments of distraction, stole wallets and handbags from shopping carts. He then used the stolen credit cards to make ATM withdrawals or purchase goods at petrol stations, tobacconists, or phone shops. In one instance, he withdrew over 1,000 euros from a bank account. The total economic damage is significant, with several scams and thefts valued at hundreds of euros.

The detainee operated quickly and efficiently, spending only a few minutes in each establishment before moving to another location in Alicante or Murcia, making it difficult to track him down. He is charged with a total of 14 theft offences, 12 fraud offences, and 2 breaches of precautionary measures for violating a court-imposed restraining order regarding the shops where he operated.

During the investigation, it was found that the perpetrator frequently changed vehicles and residences, but finally, at the end of March 2025, officers were informed that the wanted person had been admitted to the Fontcalent Penitentiary Centre. Consequently, officers went to the location to formalise his arrest and charge him with the investigated offences.

The Civil Guard reminds the public, especially the elderly, of the importance of taking extra precautions in crowded places: keep an eye on belongings, avoid displaying jewellery or valuables, be particularly careful when withdrawing money from ATMs, and do not keep PINs with credit cards.