The Guardia Civil have arrested six people, all Italian nationals, after an investigation into a series of jewellery thefts throughout Andalucía.
‘Operación Duelo’ began in October last year after information was received from the Portuguese authorities relating to the possible involvement of an individual in a number of crimes in that country. An investigation led to the establishment of a connection between this individual and a gang of jewel thieves operating on the Costa del Sol.
The gang would carefully plan their robberies, gathering details about peoples movements and routines before actually making their move. However, if something went wrong, the gang were not averse to using extreme violence.
The arrests were made in Torremolinos, San Pedro de Alcántara, Málaga, Alhaurín de la Torre and Algorrobo. One of those detained is also sought by the French police under an international arrest warrant for various crimes carrying a penalty of 24 years in prison. The six men have been charged with robbery with violence and intimidation, robbery with force, crimes against the public health and conspiracy.
The gang are thought to have been responsible for at least 16 crimes, including a €130,000 jewellery theft from an hotel in Torremolinos in November 2007, a €350,000 jewellery heist in Jérez de la Frontera, also in November 2007, and a €300,000 robbery carried out at an hotel in Granada.