High-end watch theft ring in Ibiza brought to an end by authorities

Agents of the National Police in Ibiza have dismantled a criminal group dedicated to the theft of high-end watches in the marina area of Ibiza, and have arrested three people as alleged perpetrators of two robberies with violence, membership of a criminal group and false documentation. They stole two high-end watches, valued at 350,000 euros. The National Police Force reports in a press release that “the modus operandi of this type of criminal group has a clear division of tasks where they do not hesitate to use violence”, and points out that the detainees acted in the vicinity of hotels and restaurants “of recognised prestige”.

During the past month of August, two tourists filed a complaint at police headquarters for acts carried out with the same procedure, on different days. The victims reported that when they were in the zone of Marina Botafoch in Ibiza, were approached by an individual who, with a strong pull, robbed them of the luxury watch they were wearing. This individual fled on the run and later fled on a motorcycle that was waiting for him in the vicinity, driven by an accomplice.

Two high-end watches, valued at 350,000 euros PN, were stolen

Modus operandi

The detainees, according to the National Police Corps, acted in the vicinity of hotels and restaurants of recognized prestige. Upon learning of the fact the agents of the Udyco of the Judicial Police Brigade of the police station in Ibiza, began investigations aimed at identifying and locating the perpetrators of robberies with violence. Given the similarity of both criminal acts and the physical characteristics of those who committed the robberies, it was suspected that the perpetrators could be the same ones and the investigators took steps to identify and arrest them.

During the investigation, the agents noticed the change of clothing and footwear that one of the members of the criminal group made during the commission of the robbery, thus making it difficult to clarify the facts. After locating the alleged perpetrators, on September 13 at 8 p.m. on Juan Carlos I Avenue, they arrested the three individuals, two men and a woman of Italian origin aged between 25 and 38 years old, moments before they presumably could commit a new robbery.

The National Police conducted a single search in Sant Josep PN

Throughout the week, within the framework of the police operation, the arrest and dismantling of this criminal group was carried out, and the following was performed a single search in the municipality of Sant Josep where clothing and footwear used in the acts were seized, as well as a vehicle, a motorcycle and various false documentation used to avoid being discovered and committing the robberies. In addition, during the search, four fake Spanish motorcycle license plate stickers were seized, which were hidden inside the house and on a motorcycle. The detainees have been charged as suspects for the crimes of belonging to a criminal group, robbery with violence and the arrested woman is also charged with another crime of false documentation. They will be taken to the court on duty this Saturday.