One of the largest series of thefts in recent years has been recorded in the Puente de Vallecas district of the capital. For Madrid residents, this has become an alarming signal: a perpetrator operating at night infiltrated garages, broke into cars, and stole belongings without leaving a trace. Dozens of vehicle and commercial property owners were affected, and trust in security within residential complexes is now at risk.
Police have detained a man suspected of committing 60 burglaries. His specialty was breaking into cars parked in multi-level garages, as well as entering storage units and shops. The criminal carefully selected his targets, waited until a resident opened the gates, and slipped inside unnoticed. This strategy allowed him to avoid security cameras and witnesses.
Methods and tactics
The offender did not limit himself to cars alone. He also broke into storage units and commercial premises, taking advantage of nighttime for his operations. He paid particular attention to vehicles with additional triangular windows, which made access easier. Instead of breaking alarms, he carefully dismantled them to avoid drawing attention and to gain full access to the owners’ belongings.
Police report that the perpetrator followed a well-practiced scheme: he watched the entrances, waited for a resident to open the door, and quickly slipped into the building. He then went through all the floors of the garage, selecting the most suitable vehicles. This method allowed him to carry out thefts almost unnoticed by others.
Operation to arrest the suspect
The investigation began after a series of burglary reports in the same neighborhood. Police compared details of the crimes and concluded that they were committed by the same individual. A special operation was organized to apprehend him. As a result, when the suspect tried to escape during the chase, he was detained on the spot and handed over to the court’s custody.
The judicial authorities ordered the immediate detention of the suspect. Thanks to the police operation, 60 theft cases involving break-ins of cars, storage rooms, and shops were uncovered. Residents were able to reclaim part of their stolen property, and security in the residential complexes was restored.
Context and consequences
In recent years, Spain has seen a rise in burglaries targeting garages and storage facilities. Criminals are employing modern techniques to bypass alarms and surveillance systems, making police work more challenging. In 2025, authorities in Valladolid apprehended a man responsible for numerous thefts following a similar pattern. Comparable incidents have been reported in other regions of the country, highlighting the need to strengthen security measures in residential complexes and commercial properties.
Police advise residents to be vigilant when entering apartment buildings and garages, avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, and regularly check the functionality of security systems. The adoption of new technologies and increased public awareness are helping to reduce the number of such crimes, but the risk has not been eliminated entirely. Alertness and cooperation with law enforcement remain key factors in combating these offenses.
