The Guardia Civil has successfully dismantled an organised criminal group, following a botched burglary at a pet shop in Finestrat. The operation, known as ‘Tenazas Twenty-Five’, began in January twenty twenty-five when a swift response to the attempted theft led to the capture of one suspect. Four others escaped but were recorded by security cameras while using specialised tools for the crime.

Intensive investigations by the Guardia Civil’s Research Area have allowed officers to identify group members operating in various towns, including La Vila Joiosa, Orihuela, Torrevieja, and Los Montesinos. The group displayed a clear organisational structure, with members focusing on specific roles such as vehicle theft, forced entry, and logistics.

The criminal group conducted thorough preparations for each burglary, studying security systems and escape routes, always utilising stolen vehicles. The operation concluded with the arrest of five suspects and the search of a rural property, where a gun, signal jammers, and burglary tools were found alongside a stolen vehicle.

The detainees, all men aged between thirty-seven and fifty-seven, hail from Spain, Bulgaria, Albania, and Bosnia. They are now facing charges for belonging to a criminal organisation and multiple counts of robbery. Investigations are ongoing, with the potential for further arrests still on the table.