Two men, aged 39 and 40, both residents of Crevillent, were taken into custody by the police as part of a coordinated operation. The Civil Guard announced the arrest within the framework of Operation Vehmens, which targeted a pair of alleged perpetrators linked to six violent robberies and a vehicle theft case. A court in Elche approved their pre-trial detention, with both men ordered to remain in custody pending further proceedings.
Civil Guards recovered a stolen vehicle that played a key role in solving the series of eight attacks in Crevillent and Aspe, as reported by the authorities. The operation, carried out late last year, began after a local business owner in Crevillent reported a break-in and the loss of funds from a safebox. According to the information provided by the contracting company, the assailants used violence and intimidation, sometimes wearing hooded clothing, and also employed a cutting tool to access the safe. The case prompted the launch of Vehmens, a mission designed to identify and apprehend the offenders.
During the investigation, agents uncovered several robberies in which violence and intimidation were employed against victims in the towns involved. One victim was a 75-year-old man who was forced to comply with the intruders inside his own home. Footage from security cameras confirmed at least one of the robberies targeting local businesses in Crevillent and Aspe.
The inquiry revealed that the suspects did not limit their activity to Crevillent. Information gathered at the Civil Guard station in Asp urged investigators to consider broader criminal networks responsible for similar offenses across multiple organizations. Law enforcement traced the suspects by following leads related to the stolen vehicle, which had been sighted in the area during the pursuit. Although some challenges complicated the investigation, authorities succeeded in identifying the vehicle as stolen property connected to Crevillent and linking it back to the two men who were later detained near their homes.
Detentions occurred during several focused searches, with support from the Novelda Regional Forensic Police Unit and the Aspe investigation area. Forensic teams recovered objects and clothing believed to be connected to the crimes, helping to corroborate the pattern of the offenses and establish links between incidents. The operation underscores the importance of collaboration across regional units in addressing organized criminal activity that affects multiple communities.
Investigation
The investigation progressed with interviews, surveillance, and the analysis of recovered items, revealing a pattern of robberies that coupled threats with intimidation. One victim, a 75-year-old man, was targeted in a home invasion where intruders entered and demanded valuables. The case highlighted the risk faced by residents in small municipalities where quiet streets can mask significant criminal activity. The presence of video surveillance helped authorities confirm the sequence of events and provided essential leads that guided searches and arrests. Support from local and regional units ensured a comprehensive approach to tracking the suspects and gathering physical and documentary evidence.
Beyond the Crevillent area, investigators continued to connect the dots between incidents, cross-referencing stolen items, clothing, and other materials recovered during the operation. The pursuit took on a more expansive scope as investigators pieced together how the suspects operated across different neighborhoods and facilities. The eventual identification of the two men, both from Crevillent, allowed for coordinated actions to halt ongoing criminal activity and to prevent further offenses as the case moved toward formal prosecution.
Crevillent has long been described as a quiet town, but the episodes described in this operation demonstrate that criminal activity can surface even in serene communities. In recent years, authorities have reported several cases involving attacks on vulnerable residents, including a separate incident involving a couple charged with preying on elderly victims and the arrest of a drug trafficking group in the region. The ongoing efforts by the Civil Guard aim to deter future offenses and to reassure local residents that law enforcement remains vigilant and effective in maintaining public safety. [Source: Civil Guard communications and case records, 2024]
[End of article. Citations provided for transparency.]