Fifteen people have been arrested in Operation Zoraimon, with investigators so far clearing up around ten violent robberies and recovering stolen property.
The Guardia Civil in the Region of Murcia has dismantled a youth criminal group in Águilas following an investigation into a series of violent street robberies in the coastal municipality.
Operation Zoraimon has resulted in the arrest of 15 people on suspicion of belonging to a criminal group and committing robbery with violence and intimidation. Investigators have so far cleared up around ten offences, although the operation remains open and further crimes may be linked to those arrested.
The investigation began at the end of last year after Guardia Civil public safety officers detected an increase in violent robberies in the town centre of Águilas. The incidents caused concern among local residents, particularly as many of the attacks coincided with periods of higher footfall during the Christmas holidays and carnival festivities.
According to investigators, the suspects acted in groups and mainly targeted young people and elderly victims, choosing people over whom they had a physical or numerical advantage. Once a victim had been selected, the group allegedly used the element of surprise to carry out the robbery quickly before fleeing the scene. In some cases, victims were intimidated with bladed weapons.
The stolen items included handbags, wallets, mobile phones, cash, jewellery, watches, sunglasses and other personal valuables.
As part of the operation, Guardia Civil officers carried out two parallel lines of work. The first focused on the investigation itself, including detailed reconstructions of the crime scenes, analysis of escape routes, and the review of data and images gathered during the inquiry. This allowed officers to identify the group’s methods and the areas where they were most active.
At the same time, the Guardia Civil increased patrols in the areas where most of the robberies had taken place, both to prevent further offences and to intervene if new attacks occurred.
As the investigation progressed, officers found they were dealing with a large youth group which, despite the age of its members, allegedly had an extensive criminal record. Investigators say the group did not hesitate to use violence or threaten victims with knives when faced with resistance.
Once the Guardia Civil had gathered the necessary evidence and identified the alleged members of the group, officers launched a search operation that recently ended with the suspects being located and arrested.
During the operation, investigators recovered several stolen items, including handbags, wallets, mobile phones and a cash register. These recovered belongings have already been returned to their owners.
The Guardia Civil says the investigation remains ongoing and does not rule out linking the detainees to further offences.
