A serial predator who drugged and robbed men he met on a gay dating app has been arrested in Andalucia.
The suspect has been remanded in custody following an investigation by the Policia Nacional.
He is accused of using chemical substances to incapacitate his victims before stealing cash, valuables and electronic devices while they lay unconscious.
The man selected his targets through a popular online dating platform – like Grindr – building trust through messages before arranging meetings at the victims’ homes.
Once inside, he allegedly waited for an opportunity to secretly spike their drinks with an unknown substance.
Police launched Operation Aurora after receiving multiple complaints from victims in Sevilla and Alicante over a short period of time.
In each case, the suspect allegedly met men at their homes before administering the substance and waiting for them to lose consciousness.
He would then steal valuables and leave the property before the victims awoke.
Police said they were effectively working ‘against the clock’ because neither the composition of the substance nor the quantities being administered were known.
One victim told police he remained completely unconscious and in a state of extreme lethargy for more than seven hours inside his own home.
When he eventually woke up, he was severely disoriented and had suffered facial injuries after collapsing face-first while still wearing his glasses.
Investigators feared the suspect was preparing to strike again, prompting an intensive operation involving technological tracking, victim cooperation and rapid intelligence gathering.
The man was eventually identified, located and arrested before police believe he had the chance to target more victims.
He has since appeared before a judge, who ordered his immediate imprisonment pending further proceedings.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
