At the end of April 2025, a theft shocked even seasoned investigators at a shopping center in San Sebastián de los Reyes. In the middle of the night, as the entire neighborhood lost power, an unknown intruder broke into a jewelry store and walked away with a collection worth over one million euros.
With security systems down, the perpetrator acted coldly and methodically. He didn’t just break through the door — the thief entered through the roof, carefully cutting the waterproofing, removing several panels, and gaining access to the technical gallery that links the shops. From there, he made several more holes to reach the jewelry store’s back room.
One Against the System
Contrary to expectations, it turned out the theft was carried out by a single person. Later, it emerged that the suspect was an Albanian national well-known to police across various countries. He had repeatedly changed his name and documents to cover his tracks and was using up to five different identities. Both in Spain and abroad, he was suspected of a string of similar crimes.
That night, as the city was plunged into darkness, electronic display locks were rendered useless. Using a simple screwdriver, the thief opened every showcase and filled his bag with 2,200 pieces of jewelry, including items made of white gold and diamonds. He then calmly left the building without leaving a single clue for security.
The Chase and Unmasking
The investigation took several months. Detectives were able to identify the car used by the perpetrator to arrive at and leave the scene. It turned out the vehicle was purchased on the second-hand market shortly before the robbery, and just a day after the theft, it vanished along with its owner—the latter left the country.
Police tracked the suspect’s movements, noting his frequent crossings of the Spanish border. In October 2025, he was apprehended within the country. During the search, officers found nearly €3,000 in cash and one of the stolen jewels, which he wore around his neck. The rest of the jewelry remains missing.
The case is ongoing
The court immediately sent the detainee to prison. The investigation is working to determine where the remaining jewelry disappeared to and whether the perpetrator had any accomplices. So far, all evidence suggests he acted alone, exploiting his expertise and knowledge of security system vulnerabilities.
This case has become one of the most high-profile robberies in recent years in Madrid. It exposed how vulnerable even the most guarded establishments are during emergencies. Police are still searching for the stolen goods, while shop owners are tightening security measures to avoid becoming the next target.
