Man arrested in Valencia for ten robberies at petrol stations staffed by women
The Guardia Civil arrested a 52-year-old man following a series of armed robberies at petrol stations in l'Horta Nord. The detainee selected establishments staffed by women alone and travelled to the crime scenes by bicycle.
Arrested for selective petrol station robberies
According to noticiasdenavarra.com, the Guardia Civil has arrested the alleged perpetrator of ten robberies at petrol stations in various municipalities of l'Horta Nord, in Valencia. The arrested man, aged 52, was placed in pre-trial detention following the offences. The investigation revealed that he selected only establishments staffed by women, whom he threatened with a knife to force them to hand over money.
The robberies took place between September and October in towns including Valencia, Musseros, Massamagrell, Rafelbunyol and Puçol. At some petrol stations up to three robberies were committed. The Guardia Civil detected a considerable increase in violent robberies in mid-September, which prompted the activation of a special coordination operation involving several prevention and investigation units.
The modus operandi was systematic: the detainee arrived at the petrol stations by bicycle, surveyed the establishment and confirmed that there was a woman alone. He changed his clothes using garments carried in a rucksack, concealed the bicycle and committed the robbery under threat. Once he had obtained the money, he fled the scene quickly.
Officers analysed the key elements of the criminal pattern: the means of transport, clothing, the type of weapon and the method of target selection. With that information, they deployed officers at petrol stations likely to be targeted. On 10 October, when the suspect approached a petrol station, he was intercepted by officers.
The detainee faces ten charges for robbery with intimidation, one of them attempted robbery. The proceedings were referred to the Civil and Investigative Section of the Court of Massamagrell. The investigation was directed by the Sagunt Company, with coordination from the Main Station of Massamagrell, Sagunt and the judicial police unit of Moncada.
Source: Google News ES — Crime (es)