SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, December 20 (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Civil Guard, within the framework of operation ‘Pulover’, has arrested five people as alleged perpetrators of 49 robberies with force committed in a multitude of public establishments located on the island of Tenerife, membership in a criminal group and crimes of damage.
During the robberies, a total of approximately 60,000 euros in cash belonging to slot machines and sports clothing valued at 21,000 euros were stolen, and it is estimated that the damage caused by the violence used during the commission of the crimes could reach 80,000 euros.
The operation has been directed by the Investigative Court No. 2 of Arona, which agreed to the reported entry into prison without bail of two of the detainees, leaving the remaining three released with charges.
The investigation began last June following complaints filed for the alleged commission of crimes of robbery with force inside various commercial establishments.
The defendants used large sledgehammers to access the interior of the establishments, forcing the entrance door, and then breaking the slot machines, thus stealing the money from the collection.
To avoid being recognized, they covered themselves with balaclavas, clothing and gloves, using rental vehicles that they changed regularly to make the progress of the police investigation difficult.
The criminal group committed up to three criminal acts in the same night and in different municipalities on the island. To date, it is known that the criminal acts were committed in 14 locations in Tenerife, with their activity being most predominant in the southern part of the island.
Among the municipalities affected by its activity are Santiago del Teide, Guía de Isora, Adeje, Arona, Granadilla de Abona, San Miguel de Abona, Arico, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tegueste, La Guancha, Santa Úrsula, Victoria del Acentejo, El Sauzal, Tacoronte, Santa Úrsula and Icod de los Vinos, which demonstrates the high mobility of the authors.
HOUSEHOLD RECORDS
Three home searches have been carried out in the towns of San Isidro (Granadilla de Abona), El Sobradillo and Barrio de la Alegría (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), where a multitude of coins and cash bills that could correspond to the collection from the slot machines, other effects such as sports clothing that still had the security devices installed and the labels belonging to a well-known chain of stores selling sports clothing. In addition, the tools and clothing used by the accused to commit the criminal acts were located.
The Civil Guard has been able to clarify a total of 49 crimes of robbery with force inside establishments. The investigation has been carried out by the Guía de Isora Investigation Area, with the participation of agents from the Playa de las Américas Investigation Areas, the Puerto de la Cruz Company, the Territorial Team of the Puerto Judicial Police de la Cruz, and the Citizen Security Unit (USECIC) of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Command.
