The Civil Guard Dismantles a Gang Specializing in Robbing Jewelry Stores in Alicante and Other Provinces

The Civil Guard has dismantled a network specializing in robbing jewelry stores in Alicante, Madrid, and Malaga. The so-called 'Operation Suto23' resulted in the arrest of seven suspects, six men aged between 20 and 25 years and a 37-year-old woman, who are attributed with more than 15 burglaries in such establishments. The arrested individuals have been brought before the Investigating Court number 28 of Madrid, where provisional imprisonment has been ordered for two of them, according to sources from the Civil Guard.

The Heritage Team of the Organic Unit of Judicial Police (UOPJ) of Alicante, in collaboration with agents from the Investigation Area of the Main Post of Pilar de la Horadada, began the investigation in February 2024, after learning about several burglaries in jewelry stores of a well-known brand in the province of Alicante.

In an initial phase, the agents observed how a man and a woman entered businesses during commercial hours and opened display cases using master keys to steal jewelry valued at thousands of euros.

After analyzing the obtained evidence and conducting various surveillances, the investigators managed to identify the criminal group, which had an extensive criminal record. The perpetrators operated in different Spanish provinces, mainly targeting jewelry stores. Disguised to conceal their identities and using master keys, they opened display cases and stole jewelry. The stolen pieces were later introduced into the black market, according to Civil Guard sources.

The operation culminated on September 11 with the arrest of the alleged gang members in Madrid, Alicante, and Malaga. The agents conducted two searches in residences in the Madrid neighborhoods of Chamberí and Orcasitas, where they seized master keys, clothing used for disguises, and several stolen pieces of jewelry.

The detainees are six men aged between 20 and 25 years and a 37-year-old woman, all Spanish nationals, one of them of Chinese origin. They are charged with 15 counts of burglary, belonging to a criminal organization, and receiving stolen goods. The court has ordered imprisonment for the woman and the man of Chinese origin, while the rest have been released with precautionary measures imposed, according to the same sources.