The Guardia Civil has arrested seven people in Operation Porcheta, an investigation into violent gold-chain robberies targeting older women which began with two attacks in San Javier and Sucina.
Investigators attribute 13 violent robberies to the group across municipalities in the Region of Murcia and Alicante province, including San Javier and Orihuela.
Those arrested are six men and one woman aged between 16 and 50, and the operation has led to the recovery of five gold chains.
Two attacks prompted the investigation
The investigation began in February after officers learned of attacks on two women in San Javier and Sucina, a district within the municipality of Murcia.
According to the Guardia Civil, several occupants of a high-end car got out of the vehicle and tore the chains from the victims’ necks.
Investigators subsequently linked those incidents to other robberies with similar characteristics and identified Murcia city as the base of the group under investigation.
As well as San Javier and Orihuela, the list of municipalities where the robberies allegedly took place includes Los Alcázares, Fortuna, Las Torres de Cotillas, Murcia and Cartagena.
Rental cars and sales of stolen jewellery
The investigation points to the use of false documents to rent vehicles in Alicante, which the suspects allegedly used to travel between towns looking for older women wearing visible jewellery.
The Guardia Civil says the group divided responsibilities: some members allegedly approached and attacked the victims, while others sold the items to businesses buying and selling gold.
The force says some women, including victims in their eighties, suffered serious injuries after being dragged along the ground during the attacks.
Investigation remains open
The detainees are suspected of violent robbery, continuing fraud, road-safety offences and membership of a criminal organisation.
The investigation remains open; the arrests and police allegations do not amount to a conviction.
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