A gang of hardened criminals who robbed more than 100 petrol stations, businesses and homes across Andalucia and Alicante have been arrested.
Four men were cuffed in Operation Gasfilter-Seagas, which has so far led to the clarification of robberies committed in Alicante, Murcia, Almería, Granada, Albacete and Cuenca.
The investigation began in July after a series of violent break-ins at petrol stations in Murcia and Alicante revealed a common pattern.
The Guardia Civil found that the suspects operated at night, travelling in stolen vehicles to service stations, where they forced entry using sledgehammers or similar tools.
Once inside, the group targeted cash registers and tobacco vending machines, completing the robberies in a matter of minutes.
The stolen machines were then transported to isolated areas, emptied, and abandoned.
Police say the gang expanded its activity during September and November, carrying out similar robberies across multiple provinces.
A key breakthrough came after officers seized a suspect’s mobile phone during a robbery investigation in Granada.
Footage recovered from the device showed a violent robbery involving masked individuals, who made off with around €80,000 from a petrol station in the Murcia district of Llano de Brujas.
The images also revealed that the group’s activities went beyond petrol stations. Investigators linked the suspects to robberies at hospitality businesses and occupied homes, where they did not hesitate to use violence.
Their primary targets were cash and jewellery, items considered easy to sell on the black market.
During searches carried out at three properties – two in Beniel (Murcia) and one in Palomares (Almería) -officers seized more than €12,000 in cash, two vehicles, nearly 50 pieces of jewellery, and clothing allegedly used during the robberies.
More than 30 stolen vehicles used by the group were also recovered.
Two of the arrests were made when suspects were intercepted while travelling to Almeria, where police believe they were planning to relocate.
A search of their vehicle uncovered stolen jewellery hidden under the seats. Two further arrests followed in San Javier and Cartagena, both in Murcia.
According to the Guardia Civil, the group was made up of individuals with extensive criminal records.
Although based mainly in Murcia and Alicante, the organisation operated in an itinerant manner, using strict security measures such as stolen cars with covered number plates and frequently changing mobile phones.
To date, investigators have linked the group to over 100 robberies, including:
- Murcia: 50
- Alicante: 20
- Almeria: 12
- Granada: 10
- Albacete: 7
- Cuenca: 3
The suspects face charges including robbery with violence and intimidation, burglary, vehicle theft, handling stolen goods, and membership of a criminal organisation.
The operation was led by Judicial Police units of the Guardia Civil in Murcia and Alicante, and investigations remain ongoing.
