Four men aged between 35 and 45 have been arrested following an investigation into a suspected criminal group targeting service stations along the AP-7 motorway. The Guardia Civil carried out two searches in Torrevieja, where officers recovered jewellery, cash in various currencies and items believed to be linked to the offences.

The investigation began earlier this year after a rise in thefts at service areas in Castellón, Valencia, Alicante and Murcia. Officers believe the group used the motorway to travel between locations in a single night, operating two vehicles – one rented for daily use and another allegedly used to carry out the robberies. The cars were reportedly registered in other people’s names to avoid detection.

Police say some members would check for patrols and select targets before alerting the rest of the group. Windows were allegedly smashed using small blunt objects, mainly fragments of spark plugs, allowing quick access to valuables. In some cases, violence was reportedly used against victims.

Two high-end vehicles have been seized, along with gloves, torches, knives, screwdrivers, a defensive spray, a spark plug and two golf clubs. The case has been led by the Guardia Civil’s Judicial Police Unit in Castellón and officers in Burriana.