Torrevieja (Alicante) — The Civil Guard has arrested two young men, aged 19 and 21, accused of carrying out 13 violent street robberies between September and November using the snatch-and-grab method. The attackers targeted particularly vulnerable victims, chosen for their limited ability to react, allowing the thieves to rip off their jewellery and escape quickly.
The investigation began after officers detected a rise in violent robberies following the same pattern: one offender monitored the area while the other violently pulled necklaces or valuables from the victim. On some days, the pair committed up to four consecutive robberies.
Early inquiries had already linked the two suspects to eight similar crimes. They were arrested in October and brought before the courts, later being released. However, new incidents occurred in the days that followed with the same modus operandi, prompting investigators to detain them again on 6 November. This time they were charged with five additional robberies, and one of the suspects was remanded in custody.
According to the Civil Guard, the investigation has clarified all 13 crimes and effectively dismantled the pair’s criminal activity. The stolen items—mostly gold chains and accessories—were easy for the offenders to sell on the illicit market.
The operation is part of ongoing efforts to combat this type of street crime in Torrevieja. In recent months, the Civil Guard has identified 23 individuals linked to 56 similar snatch thefts, recovering several stolen pieces of jewellery and returning them to their rightful owners.
Authorities are urging the public to take precautionary measures, such as avoiding the display of valuables, keeping bags and phones on the side of the pavement away from passing pedestrians or vehicles, walking in well-lit areas, and calling 062 or 112 immediately in the event of suspicious behaviour or a witnessed crime. They emphasise that citizen cooperation is essential to protect vulnerable victims and help identify offenders.
For further information, contact the Peripheral Communication Office of the Civil Guard in Alicante at +34 96 514 56 60 (ext. 0610011).
