Seventeen pickpockets arrested in Mallorca receive restraining orders from Playa de Palma beaches
A court in Palma has imposed restraining orders on 17 of the 18 members of a pickpocketing gang arrested by the National Police, who together have 294 previous arrests and operated in the Playa de Palma area.
Seventeen pickpockets arrested in Mallorca receive restraining orders from Playa de Palma beaches
A judge in Palma imposed precautionary measures on 17 of the 18 people arrested last Wednesday in an operation against organised theft in the Playa de Palma tourist area. The eighteenth person was released the following day.
The arrests followed an investigation by the National Police that dismantled a gang specialising in the theft of luxury watches. The group was composed of sixteen Romanian nationals, one Algerian and one Moroccan. Among the items stolen were nine high-end pieces valued at €220,000.
According to investigators, the members of the group acted as predators, using a sophisticated and perfectly coordinated method. Some individuals were responsible for selecting victims and giving instructions to the rest of the team. Other members were dedicated to distracting the selected tourists and snatching their belongings, which were immediately passed to accomplices who quickly left the area to avoid being intercepted.
When victims were carrying wallets, these were thrown to the ground once the cash and cards had been extracted. On certain occasions, the offenders used violence and even displayed knives to intimidate those who attempted to resist or pursue them.
The restraining order imposed by the judge prohibits the arrested individuals from approaching the 15 bathing establishments located in Playa de Palma. During the court appearance, it was noted that the combined criminal history of the members of this organisation amounts to 294 previous arrests.
Source: Majorca Daily Bulletin
Source: Majorca Daily Bulletin