Five men dressed as police stopped a car on the AP-7 near Barcelona and forced one man into another vehicle. Witnesses filmed the scene. Police later found the victim unharmed and are now investigating possible criminal motives.
Traffic on the AP-7 between Montornès del Vallès and Vilanova del Vallès stopped fast. Five men in black, faces covered, wearing vests marked "Policía," blocked a car and dragged one of its passengers away in broad daylight. This happened just after 19:30 on a Saturday, right in front of dozens of drivers.
The group forced the man out of his car in seconds. His face was bloodied. They pushed him into another car. The whole thing took less than a minute. Drivers stuck in the jam filmed it on their phones. People watching were confused. Some thought it might be a real police operation. Others feared something was wrong. One person called 112, but even then, no one was sure if these were real officers.
The Mossos d'Esquadra confirmed that the case is being investigated as an illegal detention or express kidnapping, with the Division of Criminal Investigation (DIC) leading the probe.
The Mossos d'Esquadra took over the case right away. They started searching for the man and the group who took him. Hours later, police found the victim somewhere else in Catalonia. He was shaken but not badly hurt. The car used in the abduction was found abandoned, with few clues inside. Spanish media like ABC and El Periódico reported that the man was in good health, even though he looked injured at the scene.
Police have not confirmed why this happened. Sources quoted by EFE say it might be tied to a fight between criminal groups, but that is still being checked. No ransom demand has come up. The link between the five suspects and the victim is not clear. The Mossos d'Esquadra’s Division of Criminal Investigation is now reviewing witness videos and security camera footage to try to identify the attackers. ARA and laSexta report that no one has been arrested so far, and the motive is still unknown.
The use of police-style vests and what looked like guns shows this was a planned move to scare and confuse. It raises questions about how easily criminals can pretend to be police. Violence on Spanish roads is not new. As reported earlier, attacks on vehicles have happened before during political and criminal clashes.
Spanish media have classified the incident as 'detención ilegal' or 'secuestro exprés', emphasizing its legal gravity and distinguishing it from ordinary street crime. The case has heightened public concern due to the attackers' use of authentic-looking police attire, which is considered a serious aggravating factor in the ongoing investigation.
This case stands out for how bold it was. The abduction happened on a busy highway, in front of everyone, and was clearly organized. The fact that the victim was found unharmed could mean this was a warning, not a kidnapping for ransom. But until police find out more, the real reason is still a guess. For now, the case shows a weak spot in public safety and shows how fast police need to act when criminals use tactics that blur the line between law and threat.
