Three men have been jailed for terrorising supermarkets across Malaga province with machetes and fake assault rifles.
The suspects, aged 22, 35, and 51, were arrested in Operation Guamparas and remanded in custody by a court in Coin.
Investigators said the group struck at least four times in June and July, targeting businesses in Coín and surrounding towns.
Coin is a short drive inland from Marbella on the Costa del Sol and has a large British expat community.
The gang allegedly scoped out stores in advance, hitting just before closing time to seize the day’s takings.
Two masked robbers would storm inside, brandishing machetes and fake imitation firearms, threatening staff and customers, while a getaway driver waited outside in a car with false plates.
After weeks of surveillance, officers moved in as the trio raided another Coín supermarket, catching them in the act.
A search of their Cártama home turned up weapons and items used in the heists.
Alongside robbery charges, the men face accusations of document falsification, belonging to a criminal group and theft.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
