Police in Madrid detained three men with extensive criminal records after a violent café robbery and a reckless car chase that ended at Barajas Airport. The suspects drove a stolen vehicle and endangered multiple road users.
A dramatic police operation unfolded in Madrid after three men, all with significant criminal histories, were arrested following a violent robbery at a café in Collado Villalba. The suspects, all Spanish nationals, stole a safe from the establishment and attempted to escape in a car that had been reported stolen days earlier. Their flight from law enforcement led to a high-risk pursuit across five major roads in the Madrid region, culminating at Terminal 4 of Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport.
The incident began in the early hours of August 19, when National Police officers responded to a reported assault in Villa de Vallecas. During their intervention, officers noticed a suspicious vehicle and signaled for it to stop. Instead, the driver accelerated, initiating a chase that spanned the A-3, M-50, M-31, M-45, and R-3 highways. The suspects drove at high speed, at times against the flow of traffic, creating dangerous conditions for other motorists and pedestrians.
The pursuit ended at Barajas Airport, where the driver abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot before being apprehended. The two passengers were detained at the scene. A search of the car revealed a forced safe, burglary tools, gloves, and a device used to start vehicles without keys. Police confirmed that the car had been stolen in Villalvilla a week earlier, and the safe was traced to the café robbery in Collado Villalba that same night. Several police vehicles sustained damage during the operation.
The detainees, aged 33, 39, and 48, face charges including burglary, vehicle theft, endangering road safety, document forgery, and property damage. The oldest suspect has nearly 50 prior police records, ranging from similar thefts to drug-related offenses. The other two also have extensive criminal backgrounds. All three have been brought before a judge.
Cases involving high-speed pursuits and organized theft have drawn increased attention in Spain, especially as police resources are stretched by complex operations. In a related context, authorities have recently dealt with other high-risk incidents, such as the armed confrontation between drug traffickers and the Guardia Civil in Huelva, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement.
Spain’s National Police and Guardia Civil regularly coordinate to address organized crime and vehicle theft, particularly in the Madrid region, where major transport hubs like Barajas Airport can become focal points for criminal activity. The use of stolen vehicles in robberies remains a persistent issue, prompting authorities to reinforce patrols and surveillance on key routes. Residents and business owners are advised to remain vigilant, especially in areas with a recent uptick in property crimes.
