National Police officers, working with members of the Response Operational Group, identified and detained two men during a patrol. The suspects, aged 57 and 44, were traveling in a minibus that contained a mix of items believed to be stolen. The operation targeted property crime, including burglary, robbery with force, and robberies accompanied by violence and threats. A routine check on a public road in Alicante led to the discovery of the vehicle and its cargo, and early indicators pointed to the two men as the alleged perpetrators (National Police statement).
Two occupants remained in the van when authorities intervened. They attempted a quick escape, but the officers halted the maneuver promptly. A thorough inspection of the interior revealed a range of belongings, among them mobile phones, electric scooters, bicycles, computer devices, and a cash sum of 700 euros. This is according to the National Police report (National Police statement).
Investigators noted that neither man could provide credible explanations for the provenance of the goods, nor did they present documentation validating lawful acquisition. This lack of verifiable ownership led officers to suspect illegal origins and to arrest both individuals for handling stolen items related to the crime. The intervention was part of a broader effort to disrupt theft networks and recover property (National Police statement).
Two items were returned to their rightful owners.
The sustained work of the National Police successfully traced the owners of the seized items. Specifically, an electric scooter, used by a student at an educational center, was returned to its owner. In another case, a bicycle valued at 2,000 euros was recovered after being stolen during a residential robbery in El Campello the preceding day. These recoveries underscore the force’s commitment to restoring property to victims (National Police statement).
The authorities are continuing to investigate the full extent of the incident and do not rule out the possibility of locating and returning additional items to their rightful owners. The evidence gathered has been forwarded to the Court of Inquiry of the Alicante Guard for further action (National Police statement).
Suspects faced with potential flight risk
The two detained individuals, both of Algerian origin, had travel plans to board a flight or ferry to Algeria. The police observed that their actions suggested an attempt to move the stolen goods out of the country to facilitate later sale. In response, officers intensified checks to deter similar offenses and to safeguard the public from property crime (National Police statement).
Officials note that the crime of taking delivery arises when a person, knowing the illegal origin of an item and seeking profit, helps to receive, possess, or hide stolen goods, even if they did not participate directly in the theft. Under the current Criminal Code, such offenses carry prison terms that can reach up to two years, with more serious circumstances potentially increasing the penalty to three years (Legal framework summary).