Guardia Civil Dismantles Theft Ring Targeting Tourists
The Guardia Civil from the Main Post in Morro Jable, Fuerteventura, has concluded an investigation with the arrest of two people and the investigation of two others for an alleged ongoing crime of theft, involving ten criminal acts, and the misappropriation of a vehicle. The suspects, specialists in opportunistic theft, operated itinerantly across several Canary Islands.
Sophisticated Theft Techniques Uncovered
The investigation began in mid-February following a spike in reports in the municipality of Pájara. Officers detected a pattern focused on thefts from inside vehicles and opportunistic thefts in busy areas. The primary victims were elderly tourists, selected for their vulnerability in crowds.
The group under investigation employed a refined technique known as the ‘muleta’ (crutch). This involves using an item of clothing, a newspaper, or a magazine to conceal their hand. They would approach tourists from behind, open rucksacks or handbags, and steal wallets without the victim feeling any physical contact.
Exploiting Hire Car Security Flaws
Alongside the well-known ‘muleta’ method, the accused had perfected a technique for stealing from inside hire cars without needing to force the locks. Specifically, they watched car parks in tourist areas, waiting for vehicles. While the occupants were getting out, one of them would discreetly slightly open a rear door or the boot to facilitate a closure failure.
When the driver then used the remote control to lock the car, the security system would detect an open door and would not activate the central locking, leaving it completely accessible. Once the tourists had confidently walked away, the perpetrators would access the interior to take wallets, purses, and valuables.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
With this information, officers from the Investigation Unit of the Morro Jable Main Post carried out the corresponding police inquiries. Given the social alarm generated, discreet surveillance and operational devices were established on public roads. This allowed a patrol, on 18 February, to intercept and arrest a man and a woman immediately after they committed a new theft in Morro Jable. Both have previous records for identical offences.
In addition to the thefts, they are charged with a crime of misappropriation, as they were using a hire car they had not returned after the rental contract ended to travel and commit the offences. The detainees have been placed at the disposal of the courts and the proceedings have been passed to the on-duty court in Puerto del Rosario.
The Guardia Civil continues with the relevant procedures to recover the stolen items and identify accomplices, and further arrests in connection with these activities have not been ruled out.
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