Lorraine Williamson
A travelling pickpocket-style crew, accused of targeting bank branches and jewellery businesses across Spain, has been dismantled after months of investigation — with four arrests in Madrid and police warning that the case may not be finished yet.
Spain’s National Police say the suspects operated as two “itinerant cells”, using Madrid as a logistical base while moving between regions to make identification harder. Investigators link them to six thefts in total: two in Madrid, two in Málaga, one in Seville and one in Valencia — with an estimated haul of around €200,000.
A Madrid base, a national footprint
According to the police press release, the investigation began after two bank thefts last month in Seville and Málaga, where officers say the group took more than €100,000 combined. In one case, police say suspects stole a cash tray; in another, they allegedly lifted a large sum left on an employee’s desk after creating a distraction outside the branch.
From Madrid, the group allegedly planned routes, assigned roles and stored “work materials”. Officers say they preferred public transport when possible, but used cars for longer trips — counting on distance to slow down investigators.
Disguises, distractions — and constant comms
Police describe a routine built around misdirection and anonymity. Suspects allegedly used accessories such as caps, glasses and wigs, and at times posed as older people or individuals with disabilities, including the use of a walking stick to appear credible.
Investigators also say the crew kept in constant contact using earpieces and microphones. In some incidents, police allege they carried tools including a device for breaking car windows and drawing pins used to puncture tyres — tactics intended to keep victims focused on the vehicle while thefts took place.
Arrests in two phases
Police say the four most active members were detained in two operational phases: one at Madrid-Barajas Airport as he allegedly attempted to leave Spain, and the others during what officers describe as an on-street “briefing” in central Madrid, where they were allegedly planning further thefts.
All four were brought before a judge, accused of criminal group membership and six counts of theft. Two have been remanded in custody, and police say one suspect was found to be using up to 18 different identities. The investigation remains open, with further arrests not ruled out.
Why this matters for the Costa del Sol
Málaga is not just a dot on the police map here — it’s a reminder of how quickly these travelling groups can pivot towards high-footfall areas, especially where bank branches, shopping streets and tourist zones concentrate targets in a small area.
The alleged methods described — distraction, impersonation, and fast-moving teams — are also difficult to spot in the moment. The risk is not only for customers withdrawing cash, but for staff in busy branches and for retail businesses dealing with high-value items.
Staying safer without becoming paranoid
The police operation highlights a simple point: the thieves relied on victims’ attention being pulled away at exactly the wrong moment.
If you are at a bank or cashpoint and something feels off — a sudden request for help, an unusual interruption, someone hovering too close — it is reasonable to pause the transaction, move away, and ask staff for support. For reporting suspicious activity or incidents, the Interior Ministry’s AlertCops app is one official channel widely promoted for citizen reporting in Spain.
For businesses, Spain also has official guidance on retail security, including for higher-risk sectors such as jewellery.
The wider picture
Spain remains one of Europe’s most visited countries, and its busiest cities and transport hubs are magnets for opportunistic crime. Policing operations like this one tend to come in waves: an arrest cycle, a deterrent effect, then adaptation by criminals, which is why investigators often stress that open cases can expand as new victims come forward.
For now, the key development is clear: police say two travelling theft cells have been taken off the streets, but they are still working to establish the full extent of the network and whether others were involved.
Sources: Policía Nacional, Cadena SER, Alertcops