MALLORCA – The Spanish Guardia Civil has apprehended five individuals belonging to a Chilean “lance” gang. Allegedly, they specialise in committing violent home robberies on the island of Mallorca.
Following an investigation into numerous reports of residential break-ins in the towns of Bendinat, Costa d’en Blanes, Santa Ponça, and Marratxí, agents from the Property Crimes Unit of the Balearic Islands’ Judicial Police and the Pont d’Inca investigative division launched a probe to identify the culprits behind at least 20 violent burglaries.
Apprehended
Agents discovered that on Monday, the 28th, one of the suspects intended to leave the island the same day. Consequently, a operation was set up at Palma Airport to apprehend this individual. During the search of their belongings, several high-end watches, jewellery, and €8,000 in cash were found.
The airport arrest expedited the operation, fearing that the rest of the gang might also attempt to flee. Consequently, Guardia Civil officers conducted a search of a residence in the Santa Catalina neighbourhood of Palma. This is where the remaining four members of this group were apprehended by the Civil Guard’s Citizen Security Unit.
Seized
Numerous luxury handbags, high-end watches valued between €8,000 and €30,000, jewellery, and methamphetamine were seized during the search, along with an additional €7,000 in cash.
The operation concluded with the arrest of five individuals and the seizure of stolen items and cash valued at over €200,000. Currently, analysis is underway to identify all potential victims of the robberies and return their rightful belongings.
Mallorca home robberies
The four detainees were brought before the 6th Investigation Court of Palma, and four of them have been remanded in custody.
Also read: Operation Farmatrac success results in violent pharmacy robberies arrests