How Police Captured Two Members of an Eastern European Gang that Burglarised Several Homes in Alicante

The focus was on them, two members of an Eastern European gang of thieves operating with complete impunity across Spanish territory. The National Police of Alicante and Cartagena closely monitored their movements after they burgled several homes in Alicante, Villena, Valencia, and Murcia, waiting for the right moment to catch them.

The two alleged members of the criminal organisation, aged 29 and 33, were caught 'in the act' after committing a burglary in a house in Ontinyent, where they stole jewellery, watches, and other valuable items. The judge ordered the imprisonment of the two arrested individuals, according to the National Police.

The investigation began after a report of a burglary with force in a home in Alicante. Initial inquiries identified one of the perpetrators, confirming it was an organised criminal group from Eastern Europe moving across the country to commit crimes with total impunity.

The group's 'modus operandi' involved entering homes using lock picks they made themselves or applying glue to doors to detect the presence of residents. Once they ensured the homes were empty, they entered without causing visible damage to the locks and stole jewellery, money, and valuable items, according to police sources.

Thanks to coordination mechanisms between police units, it was known that the suspects might be in Torrevieja, where they usually resided. Therefore, a surveillance operation was set up on both the vehicle they used and their movements.

During one of the surveillances, officers followed the suspects to Ontinyent, where they were caught leaving a house they had just burgled. At the time of arrest, they carried tools used to force locks and various stolen items, including watches and jewellery.

Following the arrests, a search was conducted at the detainees' residence in Torrevieja. Numerous pieces of jewellery, watches, and valuable items related to other burglaries were seized. The arrested individuals have been brought before the investigating court on duty in Ontinyent, and both have been remanded in custody.

Meanwhile, officers conducted checks on the seized items to determine if any were linked to the investigated burglaries, successfully identifying several, which were returned to their owners.

With the arrest of these two individuals, officers have so far managed to solve a total of eight burglaries committed in homes in Alicante, Villena, Ontinyent, and Cartagena.

The National Police remind the public of the importance of adopting preventive measures for home security. It is recommended to always lock doors, even when inside, and avoid sharing information about prolonged absences on social media.

In case of any suspicion of marking on the home or the presence of strangers loitering, the authorities should be contacted immediately, according to the Force.