Arrests Made in Coordinated Theft Ring

The Mossos d'Esquadra, Catalonia's regional police, have arrested three men in Reus suspected of carrying out a series of violent jewellery thefts by snatching necklaces from victims in public. The suspects, aged 20, 21, and 26, are believed to be responsible for five separate incidents over the past month in Tarragona, Torredembarra, Salou, and Reus. The first arrest followed a robbery in central Reus, where a man had his necklace pulled from his neck. Officers linked the suspect to a criminal group under investigation for similar crimes. During that earlier intervention, on 7 August in the La Móra residential area of Tarragona, a victim was walking on a public street when a man approached and yanked off their gold chain. Minutes later, police detained a suspect and recovered the stolen item, which was returned to the victim.

Group Operated with Defined Roles

The investigation revealed the three suspects operated as a coordinated unit with specific roles: one carried out the snatch, while the others acted as lookouts and facilitated escape. They frequently used the same vehicle to travel between municipalities, which was spotted at multiple crime scenes. The 20-year-old suspect initially gave a false identity and claimed to be a minor during his first detention, but his true identity was confirmed during the latest arrest in Reus. He now also faces charges of impersonating a minor and falsifying civil status.

The investigation remains open, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the group may be linked to other violent robberies across the region.

All three detainees were placed before the on-duty investigating section of the Reus Court on Wednesday and remain in judicial custody as the probe continues. Residents are urged to report any suspicious activity involving sudden approach and grab tactics in public spaces via the Mossos d'Esquadra crime reporting portal.

Primary sources: Mossos d'Esquadra. Reported by Ràdio Ciutat de Tarragona, diarimes.com, Tarragona Ràdio, Ajuntament de Salou, reusdigital.cat.