In a recent operation known as ‘Jarta’, the Guardia Civil arrested a fifty-two-year-old man alleged to have committed thirty-seven thefts targeting foreign tourists across various areas along the AP-7 motorway. This operation spanned regions including Murcia, Valencia, and Alicante. The suspect reportedly acted as a lost traveller, approaching victims with large maps to request directions while stealthily stealing bags and personal items.

Victims occasionally confronted the suspect, leading to violent encounters where the thief resorted to aggression. In some cases, he inflicted injuries on tourists, reportedly dragging them with his vehicle as he fled the scene at high speed. Investigators leveraged victim reports and evidence collected from multiple service areas to confirm the identity of the suspect.

The arrested man was found using various vehicles registered under different international plates to evade capture and had multiple outstanding arrest warrants. Over the past year, he is believed to have taken stolen goods valued at around thirty-two thousand euros, including jewellery, mobile phones, and personal documents. Authorities suggest there may be additional victims yet to be identified.

Currently, the suspect is in custody awaiting proceedings in the Villena Court and has been denied bail as part of an effort under the ‘Safe Tourism Plan’ by the Ministry of Security. This initiative aims to implement preventive measures to ensure a secure environment for tourists in the affected regions.