In the prestigious Madrid suburb of Pozuelo de Alarcón, police have detained a married couple suspected of stealing five exclusive watches from the home of former Spain and Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas. The woman, who was among those detained, worked as a housekeeper in Casillas’s home, while her husband was a concierge in a neighboring residential complex.
Police acted swiftly, arresting the suspects before they could leave Spain. After interrogation and the case being transferred to court, both were released on bail with travel restrictions. So far, two of the five stolen items have been recovered—one fully intact, the other partially disassembled for parts. The search for the remaining watches is ongoing.
Casillas contacted the police when he discovered counterfeits had replaced the originals in his collection. Just six days after filing the report, investigators identified the suspected thieves. According to available information, the couple removed valuable items gradually to avoid suspicion. One watch was sold for parts, another in its entirety, which allowed at least a portion of the stolen goods to be retrieved.
The arrest was expedited after it became known that the couple planned to urgently leave the country. Police note that such crimes involving luxury watches often occur not only in the capital, but also in popular tourist destinations like Barcelona and the Costa del Sol. To combat these thefts, special units have been established to track the activities of organized groups specializing in stealing high-end accessories. In recent years, Spain has seen the emergence of several teams focused specifically on these cases—in Marbella, Madrid, and Catalonia.
The investigation is ongoing, and police do not rule out the involvement of other individuals. Attention to luxury watch theft in Spain remains high, as such crimes are frequently committed by professional gangs operating both within the country and beyond its borders.
