Investigators traced a string of catalytic converter thefts across Spain to a group operating out of Madrid. Three men were arrested in Mejorada del Campo after months of night raids left car owners in Granada and Zaragoza facing hefty repair bills. The raids also hit drivers in Palencia and Valladolid.
The suspects, Romanian nationals aged 36 to 44, allegedly drove out at night to target towns across the country. They stole catalytic converters from cars parked on public streets, then took the parts back to Madrid to sell. Two Spanish men, aged 31 and 35, are also under investigation for allegedly helping the group. Diario de León and El Periódico de Aragón reported that the operation cleared up 40 property crimes linked to catalytic converter thefts in four provinces.
Police say the group did not stick to one area. Nine thefts in Granada were linked to the suspects, while Cuarte de Huerva in Zaragoza saw 17 converters stolen in just five days in July. Other cases were recorded in Venta de Baños (Palencia), Laguna de Duero (Valladolid) and Arroyo de la Encomienda (Valladolid). Overall, the investigation cleared up 40 thefts. El Periódico de Aragón reported that the suspects left Madrid at night, targeted cars in different towns and returned before dawn. Parallel investigations uncovered 43 additional catalytic converter thefts in short periods across Huelva and Seville, with Badajoz also among the provinces, Huelva Información reported.
The investigation began in July, when police teams in Zaragoza, Palencia and Granada noticed a pattern. After sharing information, they identified the same Madrid-based group as the suspected perpetrators. Officers conducted surveillance and gathered evidence, which led them to Mejorada del Campo. The arrests took place on September 22. Diario de León reported on the timeline and the cooperation between provinces that led to the arrests.
Catalytic converters are a target for organized thieves because they contain precious metals. Stolen parts move quickly through criminal networks, making them difficult for victims to recover and leaving car owners with steep bills. The Guardia Civil operation comes amid rising car-part thefts in Spain, as gangs change tactics to evade local police. Las Provincias linked the increase to soaring prices for rhodium and palladium. It also cited platinum, another metal found in the converters.
The case was handled by the Equipo Roca of Casetas (Zaragoza). The basic investigation unit in Venta de Baños (Palencia) worked alongside the Guadix team (Granada). Their joint work reflects the need for police cooperation as thieves become more mobile and organized. Police and the Guardia Civil have also stepped up checks on paperwork at scrap yards and recycling centers to prevent stolen parts from being resold, Las Provincias reported.
Organized thieves can strike in city and suburban parking areas in Spain in just a few hours of darkness. The arrests followed coordinated police work, but car owners remain at risk while the black market for parts continues. In Sagunto, four stolen catalytic converters left cars unusable, and the stolen parts alone were worth more than 2,000 euros.
