A criminal gang has been detained in Majadahonda after a wave of thefts targeting women. The suspects used distraction tactics in parking lots and shopping centers. Police link them to 29 incidents across three cities.
Spanish police have dismantled a group accused of carrying out 29 thefts using distraction techniques, with most incidents concentrated in Majadahonda. The operation, led by the Guardia Civil, resulted in the arrest of four men believed to have systematically targeted women in parking areas of commercial centers. According to the authorities, the suspects operated by diverting the attention of their victims—mainly women of middle and advanced age—while an accomplice stole handbags or personal belongings from inside vehicles.
The investigation began in April after a woman reported her bag stolen in the parking lot of a Majadahonda shopping center. She was approached by a man asking for directions, while another took advantage of the distraction to steal her bag. The group then used her bank card to withdraw cash before she could block it. Security cameras captured the theft, providing crucial evidence for the case.
Police linked the suspects to 26 thefts in Majadahonda, two in Madrid, and one in Morón de la Frontera (Seville). Beyond theft, the group is also accused of fraud for using stolen cards, as well as resisting arrest and reckless driving during their attempted escape. The suspects, all men of Hispanic American origin aged between 30 and 40, have prior records for similar crimes in various parts of Spain.
Authorities say the group carefully selected their victims, focusing on women who appeared vulnerable in commercial parking lots. They used rental cars obtained with false documents or stolen identities to avoid detection. After each theft, they quickly moved to ATMs to withdraw cash before the victims noticed the loss. When police moved to detain them, one suspect attempted to flee by car, leading to a brief pursuit marked by dangerous driving and resistance.
The charges against the four men include membership in a criminal organization, theft, fraud, document forgery, assault on law enforcement, resistance, and reckless driving. The case highlights ongoing concerns about organized theft rings operating in Spanish cities, often targeting those perceived as less able to defend themselves. In a related context, Spanish authorities have recently dealt with other high-profile cases involving organized groups, such as the dismantling of a network trafficking minors from the Canary Islands, as reported in this recent investigation.
Majadahonda, a municipality in the Madrid region, has seen a rise in thefts in recent years, particularly in commercial zones. Police recommend that residents remain vigilant in parking areas and report suspicious behavior promptly. The use of distraction methods—sometimes called the 'seed method'—is a common tactic among organized theft groups in Spain, often relying on teamwork and quick getaways. The latest arrests underscore the challenges faced by law enforcement in tracking mobile criminal networks that exploit rental vehicles and false identities to evade capture.
