The Guardia Civil has arrested seven members of a travelling criminal gang in San Javier, in the Region of Murcia, following an investigation into a series of shop thefts. The suspects, four men and three women of Chilean nationality, are accused of stealing more than €7,000 worth of technological products from a shopping centre in Cartagena.

The arrests form part of Operation Notte, which led to the seizure of €7,000 in cash, £3,000 in sterling and ten mobile phones. Officers also recovered jewellery and items of clothing, some of which were still fitted with anti-theft tags.

Investigators analysed security camera footage and say the group worked in a coordinated way inside shops. Some members allegedly distracted staff while others removed goods and left the premises without raising suspicion. Police say the suspects have previous records for similar offences in Murcia and elsewhere in Spain.

The investigation identified a rented property in San Javier as the group’s base of operations. Following a court-authorised search, all seven suspects were detained. The Guardia Civil says they were in Spain illegally and had travelled from Chile, often via Italy, to commit thefts of high-value branded goods.