Inditex truck carrying nearly one million euros in goods stolen in Alicante after fake police stop
A truck loaded with Inditex products was stolen in the El Espartal industrial zone in Alicante after attackers impersonated police. The investigation is being coordinated by the UDEV unit; no individuals have been detained.
One million euro theft in Alicante: attackers posed as police officers
Trans.info reports that a truck carrying clothing articles from the Inditex group, valued at nearly one million euros, was stolen in the El Espartal industrial zone, on the outskirts of the city of Alicante, after attackers simulated an official traffic stop. The information comes from sources within the Spanish National Police, cited by the laSexta television channel.
The driver was coming from Almeria. Shortly before 3:30 a.m., as the truck approached the roundabout towards El Espartal, two powerful vehicles — one black and one red — performed a manoeuvre that forced it to brake suddenly. The red vehicle was equipped with a light bar identical to those fitted to unmarked vehicles belonging to the National Police or Civil Guard.
Weapon threats and vehicle takeover
Two armed men with pistols emerged from the cars, presented themselves as police officers, and climbed into the truck's cab. Under threat of their weapons, they ordered the driver to get out. The truck and trailer, along with the entire cargo, was driven towards Alicante; the driver lost sight of the vehicle when it entered the A-31 motorway.
The victim was unable to call for help immediately, as his mobile phone had remained in the stolen cab. Another truck driver, who was leaving the industrial zone, stopped and lent him a telephone. The victim called the emergency number 112.
The regional broadcaster À Punt clarified that a total of four men participated in the attack, although only two confronted the driver directly. The semi-trailer was primarily carrying Zara products. On 21 September, laSexta reported that no individuals had been detained, and the truck and goods had not been recovered.
UDEV investigation analyses surveillance cameras
The case is being coordinated by the specialised unit dealing with robberies and violent crimes in Alicante, UDEV. Investigators are analysing footage from surveillance cameras in the industrial zone — including street cameras and those belonging to local companies — as well as traffic monitoring recordings from motorways A-31 and A-79.
Police are attempting to establish how long the suspects had been tracking the truck, how they arrived at the scene of the attack, and what route they used to flee with the vehicle and cargo.
A similar precedent on motorway A-3
The case in Alicante is not unique in Spain. À Punt recalled an incident that occurred in December 2025 on motorway A-3, near the town of Belinchón, where individuals who presented themselves as Civil Guard officers attacked a vehicle transporting luxury bags. The attackers detained the driver for several hours, during which time they transferred the goods to other vehicles. Four men suspected of involvement were arrested at the end of March 2026, in Torremocha del Jarama, in the Madrid region.
The two cases have in common the targeting of high-value transportation and the use of a fictitious traffic stop to gain control over the driver and vehicle.
Method used in Germany as well
The technique whereby attackers pose as police officers against truck drivers has been documented for several years in Germany as well. Trans.info reported, in March 2026, an incident that occurred on motorway A2, near Ingersleben: a 48-year-old driver had stopped on the hard shoulder due to a breakdown, when an unmarked car pulled up nearby. A man emerged wearing a jacket bearing the German term for police. As the driver was taking out his documents, the individual stole money from the cab and fled together with an accomplice. German police specified that the sum taken was in the region of hundreds of euros.
Another German case took place in 2020, on motorway A7. A white van positioned itself in front of the truck driven by a 48-year-old woman, displaying the message "Please follow this vehicle". The driver followed the van to a car park, where two men in civilian clothes briefly showed her what appeared to be police identification. They accused her of breaching traffic regulations and demanded 350 euros from her to avoid a larger fine. When the woman asked for a receipt, the two fled.
What drivers should do
The presence of an unmarked vehicle with a light bar does not automatically indicate deception — and authorities use such vehicles, which makes the trap difficult to identify, particularly at night or in a country unfamiliar to the driver.
If the situation seems suspicious and conditions permit, the driver can request identification documents from people claiming to be police officers and can contact the authorities using a number obtained independently, not one provided by those conducting the stop. In Spain, the emergency number is 112; the Civil Guard can also be contacted on 062, a line available around the clock.
In the event of an armed robbery, the driver's safety remains the priority. Goods can be recovered or replaced; a life put in danger cannot always be restored. If attackers threaten with a weapon, physical resistance is not recommended.
Source: Google News RO — Crime (ro)