On the evening of October 31, an incident straight out of a crime film unfolded in the Carabanchel district of Madrid. On one of the city’s streets, several expensive cars blocked the path of a vehicle carrying 38-year-old Juan María Gordillo Plaza, better known in criminal circles as Niño Juan. Armed men pulled him out at gunpoint and drove him away in an unknown direction.
The kidnapping happened quickly and with precision. The attackers acted decisively, leaving no time for resistance. The entire operation lasted only a few minutes. Notably, none of the victim’s relatives filed a report with the police, adding another layer of mystery to the case.
By the next day, it became known that Niño Juan had been released. He regained his freedom roughly 24 hours after being abducted. Few details have emerged about his release, but police are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Detectives are trying to identify the assailants and uncover the motives behind this audacious crime.
A criminal past and the mysteries of the kidnapping
Gordillo Plaza is a well-known figure in Spain’s criminal underworld. He has been arrested dozens, if not hundreds of times, and his name regularly appears in police and international reports. From a young age, he gained notoriety as one of the most skilled ‘aluniceros’—criminals specializing in smash-and-grab robberies using cars. His criminal career began in his teens, and since then, he has repeatedly attracted the attention of law enforcement.
This time, he was driving a car registered to a family member. This detail has also caught the investigators’ attention. Over the years, El Niño Juan has been involved in numerous thefts, warehouse raids, truck hijackings, and daring robberies carried out with luxury vehicles. His life is a cycle of arrests, escapes, and short stints behind bars.
Police search for answers
Authorities are now trying to figure out why the kidnapping victim was released so quickly. It is possible that the release was triggered by a conflict between criminal groups or an attempt to put pressure on Gordillo Plaza himself. There are no official explanations yet, but it is known that the investigation is ongoing and police are not ruling out any possibilities.
The kidnapping and subsequent release of Boy Juan have once again drawn attention to the issue of organized crime in Spain. This case serves as yet another reminder that even the most seasoned criminals can fall victim to their own associates. Further details are expected soon, which may shed light on the mysterious story surrounding the abduction and rescue of one of the country’s most well-known aluniceros.
