Four arrested for stealing €10,000 from duty-free at Palma airport
The Guardia Civil arrested four members of two travelling criminal groups operating at Spanish airports. The arrested individuals arrived on flights from the United Kingdom.
Four arrested for thefts at shops in Palma de Mallorca airport
The Guardia Civil has arrested four people accused of belonging to two criminal groups that committed thefts at establishments in Palma airport, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin. During the investigation, items valued at approximately €10,000 were recovered.
The four arrested individuals—three women and one man aged between 26 and 44—had arrived in Mallorca on flights from the United Kingdom. The investigation was initiated after officers detected several thefts on consecutive days in different terminal shops.
In a statement, the Guardia Civil indicated that initial proceedings confirmed that all incidents followed the same method of operation, characterised by speed of execution and coordination between those involved. Analysis of CCTV footage and investigative work by officers made it possible to identify the alleged perpetrators.
The arrested individuals were part of two distinct travelling groups specialising in committing thefts at airports throughout the country. Their method consisted of travelling specifically to different terminals to commit the crimes and leaving the area on flights that had been booked in advance.
They took advantage of the massive flow of travellers in the commercial areas to steal high-value items, mainly cartons of cigarettes and branded perfumes. Whilst some group members carried out the thefts, others kept watch on the movements of security personnel and law enforcement to facilitate their escape and avoid detection.
To hinder their identification, members of these organisations even changed clothes in airport bathrooms before leaving the facilities. On many occasions, the entire criminal operation was completed in less than two hours from their arrival at the aerodrome.
As a result of the investigation, the Guardia Civil proceeded to arrest the four members of both groups as alleged perpetrators of several theft offences, and the stolen items valued at €10,000 were recovered.
Source: Majorca Daily Bulletin