more robberies
A police operation in Spain reveals a criminal network that specialized in robbing self-service laundries using an electromagnetic impulse device to release coins from change machines. The group, composed of four men and one woman aged between 20 and 40, is accused of a coordinated series of thefts across several cities, including Benidorm, Almería, Burgos, Granada, Guadalajara, Murcia, Novelda, and Crevillent. The investigation shows a pattern of planning and execution that points to an organized crime group rather than isolated incidents.
The first major incident occurred at a Benidorm laundromat, where investigators observed thieves discreetly positioning a washing machine inside a peculiar device. The criminals emptied the coin box and fled with the proceeds, a scene captured by the establishment’s security system. In that initial robbery, authorities report 1,400 euros were taken, and the change machine was left empty and silent.
The case soon expanded, with victims and witnesses reporting similar events over the preceding days. The complainant in Benidorm reviewed footage from earlier episodes and confirmed at least three other robberies that resulted in losses close to a thousand euros each. The police quickly realized they were dealing with a repeated modus operandi and a possible network rather than a series of unrelated acts.
The Benidorm Judicial Police unit launched a full-scale inquiry to identify those responsible and to map the roles within the group. The investigation uncovered that the suspects operated as a cohesive unit, each person assigned with specific tasks. Some members conducted surveillance and scouted potential sites, while others controlled getaway vehicles. A subset was dedicated to the actual theft, employing a device that emitted an electromagnetic impulse to disable the coin mechanisms and extract cash. A logistics wing handled operations such as securing transport, reserving accommodations, and providing misleading information to misdirect investigators.
Three individuals linked to the crimes were located during the course of the operation. One of them was recently detained and in possession of the same electromagnetic device reportedly used in the Benidorm robberies. The device itself became a focal point in the investigation, highlighting the technical means behind the coin thefts and raising questions about how such equipment could be obtained and used for multiple offenses.
The Benidorm case also intersected with efforts by the Almería Judicial Police, whose Robbery Group had begun a parallel inquiry into similarly executed crimes carried out through the same system. A cooperative operation between jurisdictions led to the apprehension of four suspects in Almería and one more person in Benidorm. Authorities described the arrests as a significant step toward dismantling the network and reducing the recurrence of these targeted offenses across the region.
The ongoing investigation emphasizes the importance of cross-city coordination and the sharing of digital and surveillance footage to establish patterns and connect incidents that initially appeared disparate. Law enforcement officials noted that the devices used in these robberies underscored a growing trend in the theft of cash from unattended machines. They urged businesses to consider enhanced monitoring, tamper-evident seals, and rapid reporting protocols to help deter and detect similar incursions in the future.
While investigators continue to piece together the full extent of the operation, authorities stressed that the case illustrates the challenges posed by organized crime in modern urban environments. The findings so far indicate a deliberate strategy combining surveillance, illicit acquisition of vehicles, and the use of specialized equipment to exploit weaknesses in self-service cash systems. The public is reminded to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity promptly to help prevent further incidents across communities in Spain and neighboring regions.