Alex Trelinski
A VIOLENT robbery gang targeting luxury villas across Alicante province has been arrested by the Guardia Civil.
Three men and three women were detained in Rojales, Algorfa, Villajoyosa, and the Orihuela Costa.
They were all bailed after a Villajoyosa court appearance to face multiple robbery charges, as well as car theft and faking documents.
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The Guardia Civil launched Operation Hanok in November 2023 after a La Nucia villa was broken into with the owners inside and various items stolen including a high-end vehicle.
The gang followed the owner to his villa before striking, and took his car as well as driving away in their vehicle they came in.
Investigators found the stolen car had false number plates put onto it, and that the crew mainly operated across the Vega Baja region in the south of Alicante province to stage violent home break-ins.
Like in the case of La Nucia, they followed property owners back to their villa with their faces covered by masks to avoid recognition.
Besides the false number plates, they used fake documents under bogus names to make purchase or to rent homes- changing residents regularly, and travelling in and out of Spain.
The nationalities of the group have not been revealed.
A house search on the Orihuela Costa found items used in the robberies including radio inhibitors, binoculars, tools and computer gear.
The stolen La Nucia car was found in Torrevieja with the forged license plates and the originals hidden inside.
It was eventually returned to its owner.
