National police units in Madrid successfully halted two violent robbery attempts, arresting four suspects and recovering four luxury watches stolen during the daytime incidents. The swift actions came just hours apart, underscoring a focused effort to deter high-end thefts in the capital.
The first incident occurred early on Sunday, January 14, in the Salamanca district. A Spaniard walking with a companion along Recoletos Street found himself targeted by two strangers who tried to distract him. The thieves used a tactic known locally as Ronaldinho, a method that involves one offender tripping the victim with a leg entanglement, creating an opening for the others to grab belongings. The victim was wearing a valuable Omega watch, priced well above its market value. He fought back while the assailants attempted to make off with the watch. Two plainclothes officers, engaged in covert surveillance to prevent exactly this type of crime, intervened and apprehended the suspects, aged 20 and 23, one identified as Moroccan and the other Algerian. Along with the recovered loot, the officers uncovered evidence indicating a prior history of violent robberies tied to these individuals.
Hidden among the hedges
The second assault unfolded near the door of a hotel in the Madrid district known as Vegetable. Two Moroccan thieves, aged 25 and 26, concealed themselves among the hedges by the entrance to monitor guests as they entered and exited. Their plan relied on selecting targets wearing high-end watches, after which they would spring from cover and attack, seeking to seize the coveted timepieces. Both perpetrators were neutralized by police as they attempted to flee following the violent attack that left the victim with wrist injuries. During a subsequent search, investigators recovered two additional expensive watches, a Patek Philippe and a Philipp Klein, linked to prior thefts. Authorities are now working to identify the rightful owners of these timepieces and to connect them to the wider theft network.
These two episodes reflect the Madrid National Police Headquarters strategy aimed at curbing the spike in luxury watch thefts in the capital. A dedicated task force of seventeen officers has been deployed to investigate these crimes, with the objective of solving a majority of the cases within a short timeframe. The ongoing effort emphasizes deterrence, rapid response, and the meticulous collection of evidence to dismantle the criminal networks responsible for the assaults. While the attackers paused to survey victims and choose targets, law enforcement countermeasures focused on close observation, timely intervention, and the recovery of stolen property to reduce the impact on residents and visitors alike. The series of interventions demonstrates how coordinated policing can disrupt organized thefts and safeguard the capital’s reputation for safety and hospitality. The police force continues to expand its collaboration with customs and financial crime units to track proceeds and to identify associated trafficking routes that might feed into similar incidents in other districts. This cross-agency approach is designed to prevent repeat offenses and to bring more offenders to justice, ensuring that both local residents and international guests can enjoy Madrid with greater confidence. As investigations progress, authorities pledge to maintain a high level of vigilance and transparency, sharing verified updates as information becomes available. The overarching aim is clear: reduce opportunities for theft, disrupt criminal networks, and preserve public trust in the city’s security apparatus. The public is urged to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity, and safeguard personal belongings, particularly high-value items that attract attention in crowded urban settings. Marked police notices and neighborhood patrols will continue to reinforce this message across the capital. For those who travel with luxury watches, experts recommend securing belongings through insured personal safes, using discreet travel cases, and avoiding visibly displaying valuable items in crowded areas. The authorities reiterate that prompt reporting of any incident greatly improves the chances of recovery and successful prosecution. The ongoing investigations into these cases illustrate the careful, layered approach used by Madrid’s police force to combat thefts targeting luxury items while maintaining public confidence during busy urban periods.