Two men have been remanded in prison after a string of violent street robberies targeting elderly victims in Torrevieja and La Mata.
The suspects, aged 31 and 32, were arrested by the Civil Guard after four alleged robberies carried out between March and May. Their victims were aged between 75 and 93.
Officers say the pair targeted pensioners walking in the street, attacking them by surprise before ripping chains and jewellery from their necks. Several victims suffered injuries during the robberies.
The men were brought before the Investigating Court of Torrevieja, where a judge ordered their remand in custody pending trial.
Pensioners Attacked for Jewellery
The investigation began after Civil Guard officers detected a series of violent “snatch-and-grab” robberies in Torrevieja and the nearby coastal village of La Mata.
According to investigators, the attackers used force to tear jewellery from their victims, sometimes pushing and struggling with them in the street.
The victims were elderly people, aged from 75 to 93, who were walking in public areas when they were targeted.
Police believe the suspects travelled regularly from other towns to Torrevieja and La Mata to commit the robberies, choosing areas known to be frequented by older residents.
One Watched While the Other Attacked
Civil Guard investigators say the two suspects worked in a coordinated way.
One allegedly kept watch and selected vulnerable victims, while the other carried out the attack, snatching jewellery through force, intimidation and physical struggle.
The stolen items were then allegedly intended for sale on the black market.
Citizen cooperation and police inquiries helped officers identify the property where the suspects were believed to be hiding. Witness statements and other evidence were key to linking the men to the robberies.
Stolen Jewellery Recovered
During the operation, officers recovered several pieces of jewellery connected to the robberies. The items have since been returned to their rightful owners.
In one case, on May 1, one of the suspects was arrested just minutes after the robbery while still carrying the broken chain allegedly ripped from an elderly victim.
The Civil Guard has warned that violent robberies targeting older people in public places have increased in recent months in Torrevieja.
The latest arrests form part of an ongoing effort to tackle street crime and protect vulnerable residents in the area.
