The Civil Guard has dismantled a criminal group specialised in robberies and violent thefts in Tenerife following the arrest of eight individuals, six of whom have been remanded in custody. They used clothing similar to that worn by the police to carry out their actions.
The perpetrators of the robberies and thefts conducted detailed studies of their targets to ensure that the “hits” were quick and secure. They had specialised in assaults on cash collection and transportation vehicles, as well as violent and intimidating burglaries in homes, often located in isolated areas of the island. The amounts stolen exceeded 290,000 euros.
The Civil Guard has named this operation SCRUM-MONÉ, which has concluded with the dismantling of a criminal group whose members “did not hesitate” to intimidate and use direct violence against victims, physically assaulting them when necessary to obtain the loot.
The Civil Guard explained that in September 2024, three members of this organisation were arrested after attempting to flee on foot through a mountainous area and wielded a weapon against the officers intervening during a violent and intimidating robbery at a residence in El Sauzal.
In November 2024, another member of this organisation was arrested following an assault on a van transporting over 50,000 euros. In this incident, the two assailants fled to a “safe” property they had in the south of the island, but officers managed to apprehend one of them and recover the money.
In February of this year, the fifth member of this organisation was arrested, who also had five outstanding warrants for arrest and imprisonment.
Additionally, last June, the sixth member of this group was arrested, who was also wanted for an alleged attempted homicide and was using various identities, as well as encrypted communications, to hide from law enforcement.
According to the Civil Guard, those arrested are facing long-term imprisonment for multiple charges including robbery with violence, illegal detention, burglary, and usurpation of public functions, among others.
This operation concludes with the investigation of eight members of the aforementioned organisation, all residents of Tenerife, the recovery of part of the stolen money, and the seizure of five vehicles and numerous electronic devices.
The judicial authority has ordered the imprisonment of six members of the criminal group, and the Civil Guard notes that some of those detained in the police operation had already served prison sentences after being arrested in 2022 for similar crimes.
