Police in Alicante, working jointly with authorities in Antequera (Malaga), dismantled a traveling criminal network that specialized in home burglaries using a technique commonly referred to as the glue thread method. The operation led to three arrests and the clearing of seven burglaries across several Spanish cities, including Alicante, Antequera, Molina de Segura (Murcia), and Jaén, with investigations continuing in other regions.
The inquiry began in early July after reports of a forced entry on a residence in Alicante. During the initial inspection, investigators found tiny glue remnants near the door, a signature tactic used by organized groups that operate across borders, often involving Eastern Europe).
Concern grew that the incidents weren’t isolated. Law enforcement coordinated with multiple teams to determine whether the same suspects were responsible for additional crimes carried out with the same method, potentially forming part of a larger traveling operation.
Investigators identified the authors as members of an organized group of Georgian origin dedicated to burglaries across the national territory. They used the glue thread technique to test whether homes were occupied by placing plastic markers or glue threads between the door frame and the door. The markers helped determine if residents were present, allowing the crew to choose moments for entry.
Information about the operation was shared as it progressed. After the initial actions, the suspects returned to marked addresses to check for signs of occupancy. If marks remained, it indicated no one was home, and the team proceeded using various entry methods designed to minimize damage and avoid attracting attention, including manipulating locks and doors without obvious force.
distribution of roles
The group operated with a clear hierarchy and strict division of labor. They traveled in rental vehicles, used disguises to blend in as tourists, and hid in rented apartments to evade surveillance. This structure enabled them to move from one location to another while maintaining a low profile during their travels.
As the investigation continued, authorities confirmed that the same individuals had conducted multiple offenses in the Andalusia region and had rented a house near Antequera for their operations, adopting a tourist façade to avoid detection.
The security forces maintained surveillance and coordination through specialized crime units in Alicante and Antequera. Their efforts culminated in the detention of three suspects, who were subsequently transferred to the court of inquiry in Antequera for immediate imprisonment.
During searches, investigators recovered a range of stolen items, including jewelry, watches, cash, and other valuables, as well as tools used to facilitate the break-ins, such as glue remnants and clothing worn during robberies. In one vehicle, officers found two improvised devices intended to help force doors open.
Comparative analysis of the detainees’ information indicated that these individuals were linked to numerous forced home burglaries across the country. In total, seven incidents were attributed to them, with cases located in Alicante, Antequera, Molina del Segura, and Jaén.
Most of the recovered items were identified and returned to their rightful owners. The investigation was conducted by the Judicial Police Special Crime Group of the Alicante Provincial Police Station in cooperation with the Antequera Judicial Police Brigade. The Georgian detainees, aged 32, 37, and 54, were placed in custody following a decision by the Antequera Court of Inquiry. Investigations continue to determine whether additional offenses may be connected to these suspects.
Details about the glue thread method reveal that offenders marked target doors with small markers or glue threads days before a planned entry. They used this information to strike when homes were unoccupied, often choosing moments when residents were away. They also sought to minimize signs of entry by avoiding visible damage to doors or locks, sometimes using methods that left little trace for neighbors to notice and landlords only discovering the theft upon returning home.
Further inquiries aim to map the full extent of the network and identify any additional victims or locations affected, as authorities press on with investigations into this traveling crime group and its practices across the region.