The Civil Guard has dismantled a criminal group considered especially dangerous and responsible for more than 30 thefts in establishments and homes in Cantabria, in addition to the theft of vehicles.
This was announced on Wednesday by the delegate of the Government of Spain in Cantabria, Eugenia Gómez de Diego, at a press conference in which she appeared together with the chief colonel of the Civil Guard in Cantabria, Antonio Orantos, and the captain of the Organic Judicial Police Unit, Alfonso Serrano.
According to the delegate, three people have been detained within the framework of Operation "KARR1", two of them linked to the shooting recorded in Torrelavega last November, and have already been imprisoned by court order.
The investigation, which began in July and is still open, has made it possible to clarify some thirty crimes against heritage in the towns of Santander, Piélagos, Santa Cruz de Bezana, Maoño, Sancibrián, Reocín, Vega de Pas, Vargas, Laredo, Colindres, Corrales de Buelna, Suances and Revilla de Camargo.
In the records made, the agents have seized an arsenal of almost 50 weapons. Of this arsenal, 20 firearms stand out, including pistols, revolvers, shotguns, a rifle and a rifle. Some of them, at the time they were found, were ammunited and prepared to make fire. They also had in their possession catanas, swords, sticks, knives, knives, American fists, among others.
Likewise, 27 briefcases with electric tools have been intervened and 12 safes, intelligent exchange boxes and boxes of the previous ones have been recovered - all forced - as well as jewelry, money and vehicle keys, effects from thefts perpetrated.
"This is an important blow against crime, one of the most relevant in recent years," said Gómez de Diego, who highlighted the "exceptional" work of the Civil Guard, as well as the National Police. "Their professionalism, dedication and responsiveness deserve our utmost recognition," he said.
Major blow against the offendercia
The government delegate has taken the opportunity to stress that Cantabria is "one of the safest autonomous communities in Spain", with security figures that reflect a reality that remains stable, except for the increase in crimes linked to computer scams, which have grown by more than 2,000% in recent years.
"It is true that zero crime does not exist and that, inevitably, crimes will continue to occur. However, our security forces and bodies act effectively, as this operation demonstrates, to ensure that offenders are brought to justice. I have full confidence in their work, and I ask the citizens to do the same. Spain is a safe country and Cantabria is a safe community, and we should be proud of it, as well as the work done by those who protect us," he said.
Modus operandi
During the investigation phase, it was found that the group under investigation was increasing its criminal activity to an average of two robberies per day, with a main focus on hotel establishments, pharmacies, machinery and homes.
Although the investigations have not produced a unique pattern in the commission of the robberies, it could be seen that with some assiduity they were collected and transferred to different locations, where they bought cans of gasoline, which they later used to refuel vehicles that had previously been stolen and abandoned in different places to avoid raising suspicions.
With the help of mazas or other blunt objects, they entered the establishments where later, using force as well, they seized the intelligent exchange boxes and safes that they later forced in a safe place to take out the money.
An example of this was the theft committed on a pharmacy in Renedo de Piélagos, where they removed the smart box - valued at 14,000 euros - containing more than 9,000 euros inside.
For the value of what was stolen, it is possible to highlight the theft of a truck in Reocín, to later subtract a forklift truck in Sancibrián, the whole being valued at about 80,000 euros. This wheelbarrow and the truck were sold on the black market, achieving its recovery in Asturias.
To all this, we must add in all these actions, the danger to traffic safety, since they drove the stolen vehicles without a driving license.
On December 4, searches were carried out in homes and a garage in Campuzano, where the three suspects were detained and the stolen objects were recovered.
The investigation has been conducted by Examining Court No. 3 of Santander, in collaboration with the Public Prosecutor’s Office. The operation has been developed by the group of crimes against the Judicial Police Patrimony, with the support of the Rapid Action Group (GAR), Citizen Security units, as well as officers and dogs of the Cinological Service.
For more information you can contact the OPC of the Civil Guard in Cantabria, at 942.32.14.00 ext 1300145/1300147