Mossos d'Esquadra have arrested three individuals, including one minor, in Barcelona for alleged violent mobile phone robberies. The group operated in the Sant Martí district, using numerical superiority to target vulnerable young people.
Beyond electronic devices, the suspects also stole identification, bank cards, cash, and jewellery from their victims. They approached their targets using electric scooters and threatened them with bladed weapons. In some cases, they demanded victims unlock their mobile phones to disable location tracking and avoid capture.
These robberies occurred between 2 November 2025 and 7 April 2026 in the Camp de l'Arpa and El Clot neighbourhoods, as well as parts of the Horta-Guinardó district. After taking their loot, the perpetrators fled quickly.
Key Suspects Identified
One of the adults arrested is a 22-year-old man, investigated for his involvement in seven violent robberies with attempted fraud. He also faces charges for two counts of assault. This individual had a history of 14 previous offences, including a prison sentence for crimes against property, people, and public health, according to officials.
The other two suspects were arrested on Wednesday, 6 May 2026. Both are also believed to have participated in violent robberies. The arrests followed two home searches, where officers found documents, bank cards, 17 mobile phones, and 30 phone cases. Bladed weapons, handcuffs, three electric scooters, and clothing items were also recovered.
Judicial Proceedings Underway
The suspects have been handed over to the judge. The group's leader has been preventatively remanded in prison. Officials said the proximity of their residences to the crime scenes allowed them to escape and hide stolen items quickly.
