Fugitive from Austria, Member of Pickpocket Group, Arrested in Alicante

The National Police have arrested a fugitive from Austrian justice in the city of Alicante. The man belonged to a group of pickpockets who stole bank cards in commercial establishments to later use them for cash withdrawals.

According to a statement from the security body, this 36-year-old Romanian national had a European Arrest Warrant for Extradition (EAW) issued by Austrian authorities for crimes against property.

In fact, the Austrian authorities informed the National Police of Alicante of this order after learning that the fugitive was hiding in the city of Alicante. Investigators immediately set up a police operation and managed to arrest the man.

The alleged criminal had fled Austrian justice after being sentenced to six months to five years in prison for organized thefts, as he belonged to a group of pickpockets operating in commercial premises.

The events that led to this man's arrest were committed in 2023 and 2024 in Austria. The man was part of this organization dedicated to stealing wallets and their credit cards. It is estimated that they withdrew nearly 13,000 euros from various ATMs.

The detainee, a 36-year-old Romanian national, was brought before the Central Investigating Court of the National Court, the body responsible for processing his subsequent extradition.