The Guardia Civil has arrested seven men and one woman, aged between 20 and 31, in Torre Pacheco, Murcia, as alleged members of a criminal group responsible for 36 offences against property.

The investigation, known as Operation Fauron, began in November after a rise in thefts from parked cars in streets and residential garages. Officers say the group also carried out burglaries at homes and shops, as well as three robberies involving violence and intimidation. In two cases, victims suffered serious knife wounds.

In another incident, a woman allegedly approached a person sitting inside a car, violently snatched a gold chain from the victim’s neck and stole a ring. Detectives gathered evidence from crime scenes, including CCTV footage, which led them to known offenders.

According to investigators, the group operated in a chaotic way, planning crimes almost spontaneously without a clear hierarchy. They reportedly met at a semi-abandoned farm on the outskirts of the town and took precautions such as scouting locations in advance and using balaclavas and gloves to avoid identification.