A major police operation in Oropesa del Mar led to the arrest of a 27-year-old man accused of a series of thefts from vehicles parked at AP-7 service areas. The suspect allegedly targeted cars belonging to tourists and other travelers. Officers apprehended him after a high-risk pursuit that forced several drivers to swerve out of harm’s way.
Information from the Guardia Civil, the investigation began after thefts were reported at service stations across Castellón province. Officers identified a luxury car matching descriptions from multiple incidents and set up surveillance to intercept it. When the suspect noticed the police presence, he tried to flee, ramming a patrol car and carrying out maneuvers described as “extremely dangerous.” The chase ended when the driver lost control and crashed into roadside infrastructure.
After the collision, the man resisted arrest, and officers used force to detain him. He was later brought before a judge, who ordered his immediate imprisonment. Investigators said he had been using a high-end car stolen in Madrid and frequently changing its license plates to avoid detection. He allegedly drove it between AP-7 service areas, targeting parked cars and stealing cash, jewelry and other valuables. Police estimate that the stolen items in the resolved cases were worth more than €19,000.
During the arrest, officers recovered €3,465 in cash, foreign currency and jewelry. Authorities said the items had been returned to their owners. They also seized forged documents and items believed to have been used in the thefts, including glass-breaking equipment, flashlights, screwdrivers, bolt cutters, a knuckle duster and unauthorized defense sprays.
The detainee faces allegations including 15 counts of burglary from vehicles, motor vehicle theft, document forgery, reckless driving, assault on law enforcement and serious resistance. The case highlights the risks of theft at motorway stopping points, where travelers may leave belongings unattended in parked vehicles.
A separate AP-7 operation in Tarragona involved a different reported pattern targeting motorists. On 20 October 2026, Mossos d’Esquadra officers from El Vendrell and Cambrils, working with regional traffic officers, arrested three men aged 22, 29 and 35 in Vandellòs i l’Hospitalet de l’Infant after reports of thefts and attempted thefts. Officers stopped their vehicle at kilometre 281 of the motorway. Authorities said the suspects allegedly staged roadside incidents, including puncturing a tyre or prompting drivers to stop, then distracted them while belongings were taken. The driver was also reported to have tested positive for cocaine and had no driving licence. The three men appeared before the Tribunal de Instancia de Reus on the Wednesday after their arrests.
Spain’s AP-7 is a major route for domestic and international travelers, and its service areas can leave motorists vulnerable to theft. In the Tarragona case, Mossos units searched motorway locations, particularly rest areas, before locating the vehicle. Local public-security units and regional traffic officers took part in the operation. Police advise motorists not to leave valuables visible or unattended and to stay alert when approached about an apparent vehicle problem. Similar incidents have drawn attention in other Spanish cities. In Madrid, a shoplifter’s actions led to a large-scale evacuation at a shopping center, as detailed in this report on a fire incident at La Vaguada.
