Pickpocket Gang Caught Red-handed In Guadalest

A crafty pack of pickpockets has been caught successful nan charming tourer municipality of Castell de Guadalest, acknowledgment to nan speedy activity of nan Guardia Civil successful Operation Huguet. Four suspects — a 43-year-old man and 3 women aged 31, 34 and 37, each Romanian nationals — were arrested aft targeting visitors successful nan aged municipality pinch a sneaky distraction method known arsenic nan ‘muleta’ method.

So, what precisely is this ‘muleta’ method? It’s a classical move consecutive retired of nan pickpocket playbook. The thieves usage a portion of clothing — for illustration a jumper aliases scarf — to screen portion of their limb aliases assemblage while approaching tourists. This clever cover-up distracts nan victims’ attention, letting nan thieves gaffe their hands into bags aliases pockets to bargain wallets, phones, jewellery and different valuables without being noticed.

The Guardia Civil started investigating aft respective visitors reported being robbed successful nan picturesque streets of Guadalest. With accrued patrols and tips from locals, officers managed to place suspects whose visits lined up pinch nan thefts.

Tourists raised nan alarm

During a stakeout, constabulary spotted nan suspects acting suspiciously successful nan historical centre. Moments later, immoderate visitors raised nan siren aft realising they’d been robbed. The thieves past quickly jumped into a luxury car waiting adjacent to make their getaway.

The Guardia Civil instantly group up roadblocks and caught nan pack connected nan CV-70 adjacent Polop. Inside nan vehicle, officers recovered astir 4,000 euros successful rate successful various overseas currencies, positive jewellery now nether investigation.

Choosing targets, distracting victims

It turned retired nan pack worked for illustration a well-oiled machine, pinch members keeping watch, choosing targets, distracting victims, and making a swift escape. The 4 look charges for belonging to a criminal group and theft.

After being presented astatine nan tribunal successful Villajoyosa connected July 24, nan suspects were released pinch restrictions — including bans from entering Guadalest aliases leaving Spain, handing complete their passports, and mandatory check-ins each 2 weeks.

The investigation is ongoing, truthful much complaints could still travel in. But for now, visitors successful Guadalest tin bask their sojourn a small much safely — pinch nan ‘muleta’ thieves disconnected nan streets.