Two men have been jailed after allegedly targeting elderly residents in a violent chain-snatching spree across the Costa Blanca.
The suspects, aged 31 and 32, are accused of carrying out a series of robberies in Torrevieja and nearby La Mata between March and May, with victims ranging in age from 75 to 93 years old.
According to the Guardia Civil, the pair would stalk older people walking in the street before launching sudden attacks to rip jewellery from their necks.
The force said the victims were caught completely off guard, with the suspects using force to tear away chains and other valuables.
Several of the pensioners suffered injuries during the robberies.
Investigators linked the pair to four separate attacks carried out over a three-month period.
Police believe the men regularly travelled from other towns to Torrevieja and La Mata specifically to target elderly residents in areas popular with older people.
The investigation gathered pace after officers identified similarities between the attacks and began tracking the suspects’ movements.
A breakthrough came when one of the alleged robbers was arrested just minutes after one of the incidents while still carrying a broken gold chain that had been ripped from an elderly victim.
According to investigators, the men worked as a team.
Police allege that one suspect would identify and monitor potential victims while the other carried out the robbery using violent tugs, pushing and physical force to steal jewellery.
The stolen items were then allegedly destined for the illegal second-hand market.
Following a series of searches and enquiries, officers located the property where the suspects were allegedly hiding.
The operation also led to the recovery of several pieces of jewellery linked to the robberies.
The recovered items have since been returned to their owners.
Both men were brought before a court in Torrevieja, which ordered them to be remanded in custody pending further proceedings.
The investigation continues.
