The Guardia Civil have dismantled what they describe as Tenerife's most active criminal gang involved in violent and intimidating robberies at businesses across the island.
Eight people have been arrested following a four-month investigation into a series of attacks on petrol stations, restaurants and other commercial premises, with officers linking the group to 34 separate offences.
According to the Guardia Civil, the gang's activities had generated considerable fear among business owners because of the level of aggression allegedly used during the robberies.
The suspects are being investigated for offences including robbery with violence and intimidation, burglary and the theft of motor vehicles, and three of those arrested have been remanded in custody pending further court proceedings.
Armed and masked during raids
Investigators say the group followed a carefully planned method when carrying out the attacks.
Members allegedly entered businesses with their faces covered and used large knives, electroshock devices, sledgehammers and other weapons or blunt objects to threaten staff and customers.
The robberies were carried out within a matter of minutes, with investigators describing the gang's behaviour during the attacks as consistently aggressive.
To reach their targets and make their escape, they allegedly used either hire cars or previously stolen vehicles.
Stolen registration plates were then fitted to the vehicles and changed regularly in an attempt to make it more difficult for police to trace them.
According to investigators, the suspects also carried out reconnaissance before targeting businesses.
Following the robberies, vehicles were reportedly abandoned in predetermined “cooling-off” locations so they could not immediately be connected with the crimes.
€160,000 in stolen goods and damage
The financial impact of the gang's alleged activities is estimated at more than €160,000. Items stolen included safes containing businesses' daily takings, large amounts of cash, payment machines, jewellery and tobacco, with the stolen property valued at more than €60,000.
The damage caused to the businesses during the raids is estimated to exceed a further €100,000.
As part of the operation, the Guardia Civil carried out four authorised searches at properties in Tenerife.
Officers seized a Local Police identification badge, a replica submachine gun, knuckle dusters, electroshock devices, sledgehammers and keys to hire cars, as well as quantities of tobacco and jewellery.
Gang arrested as they allegedly prepared another robbery
The arrests came as investigators reportedly discovered that the suspects were preparing to carry out another raid. Police launched a special operation to intervene before the alleged robbery could take place.
When the suspects were arrested, officers say they were carrying balaclavas, large knives, sledgehammers and electroshock devices.
Several Guardia Civil units participated in the operation, including the Judicial Police Unit, investigation teams from Puerto de la Cruz and Playa de las Américas, the GRS 8 Reserve and Security Group, and specialist dog units.
The operation brings to an end a four-month investigation into a crime spree which had targeted businesses in several municipalities across Tenerife.
