- The suspects, accused of 84 burglaries, targeted temporarily unoccupied homes using the “slip method” to gain entry.
- Both individuals, with extensive criminal records, were arrested in Alicante and have since been remanded in custody.
The Guardia Civil has arrested two men, aged 62 and 48, in Alicante as part of “Operation Tafi24,” on suspicion of carrying out more than 80 home burglaries in the coastal town of Jávea (Alicante province).
The investigation, led by the Investigation Unit of the Jávea Guardia Civil, began in July 2024 after a spike in burglaries affecting both primary and vacation residences. The intruders typically operated when the properties were unoccupied, gaining entry using the so-called “slip method”—a technique that bypasses the door latch without causing visible damage.
Following months of surveillance and intelligence work, officers identified the suspects and carried out coordinated raids on April 9 at two homes in Alicante city and another in Villajoyosa. The operation involved support from the Reserve and Security Group (GRS) No. 4 from Barcelona, Special Security Response Units (USECIC) from Alicante and Torrevieja, and a specialized canine unit trained to detect currency. The reinforcements were deployed due to the possibility that the suspects could be armed or attempt to resist arrest.
Stolen Property Recovered
Searches at the properties uncovered a wide array of stolen items, including jewelry, luxury watches, electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptops, cash in various international currencies, and high-end clothing and accessories. Many of the recovered items have already been returned to their rightful owners.
Investigators confirmed that the suspects were part of an organized criminal group operating systematically in the region. Both individuals, of Algerian nationality, have extensive criminal histories and previous prison sentences for similar offenses. Their arrest marks the dismantling of a local burglary ring and restores a sense of security to residents of Jávea.
The suspects were brought before the Court of Instruction No. 2 in Denia, which ordered their provisional detention.
The Guardia Civil urges residents to report any suspicious activity in residential areas and thanks the public for its vital cooperation, which was key to the success of this operation.
