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Violent hug mug thieves arrested in Murcia
The well-organised gang is responsible for robberies across Murcia and Alicante
Four Romanian nationals, ranging in age from 28 to 31 and with extensive criminal records, have been arrested for allegedly belonging to a travelling criminal group specialising in violent robberies. The gang used the notorious ‘hug mug’ or ‘love theft’ technique, embracing or kissing their victims, who were mostly elderly people, in order to swipe their jewellery and watches.
The attackers became physically aggressive in several instances when their intended targets realised what they were up to and tried to push them away.
The investigation began in January when the Specialised Crime Group of the Alicante Provincial Judicial Police Brigade learned of a robbery with violence in the capital using this hug mug ploy. An elderly man reported being sexually propositioned by a young woman as he was entering his property. When the victim tried to walk away, two more individuals approached, tackled the man and stole his high-end watch.
The suspects were eventually identified and arrested in Pilar de la Horadada and Murcia.
The group is believed to consist of a well-organised family clan whose activities have been linked to crimes all over Spain, including a spate of love thefts in Monóvar, El Algar and Los Alcázares. Subsequent police searches have revealed that the gang rented several properties and used different cars as get-away vehicles, many of which were falsely registered under the names of deceased associates, to avoid detection.
A total of five robberies have been solved so far but the investigation is ongoing, and the authorities are sure that more victims and members of this criminal organisation will be uncovered. In the meantime, the National Police has advised members of the public to be on their guard against strangers exhibiting overly familiar behaviour.
Further safety tips can be found via the National Police’s official page at https://fb.watch/l7ToBbeqgG/.
Image: Policía Nacional
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