Estonian Crime Spree stopped in Benidorm

A  SPATE of thefts from properties in the Benidorm area was finally brought to an end last week, when police arrested three Estonian men, two of whom were brothers, believed to be responsible for up to 80 break ins the past four months.

The method of entry by the burglars was particularly clever, involving the cracking of the locks with use of specialist tools, according to the police, and required a special skill which made the trade mark technique easier to attribute to the gang.

The criminal spree finally came to an end when National Police in Benidorm apprehended gang as they were about to break in to a bar in the town during the early hours.

The modus operandi of the group was always the same: after keeping a check on the intended target to ascertain the times of movements of its occupants, the three would make their move when the property was empty, stealing amongst other things, money, jewellery, computers, phones and even perfumes. In fact it appears they stole virtually any item which they believed might have a resale value.

As well as residential premises, the gang targeted, bars, an office of the Ayuntamiento in a recreational park, a warehouse , and even a lawyer’s office. As with their target items, the premises burgled were from across the board. The only consistent theme was the criminal’s method of operation, through planned surveillance and lock breaking.

The three arrested already had police records, though it is not clear from sources whether these relate to activities in Spain, or in their native Estonia. They were charged with theft, forgery (of official documents), and had even been found to have stolen four cars.

Photo credit: leumas_1974