By Euro Weekly News Media • Published: 16 Sep 2011 • 15:20
FIFTEEN members of a gang of violent robbers have been sentenced to a total of 68 years in prison by Palma Provincial Court.
In the summer of 2009, the gang targeted homes and businesses on the island. The gang was led by two Spaniards, one of whom was a former bank manager who provided information on where there were large sums of money or jewellery, and the others were mostly Romanians.
They confessed to the crimes in court and accepted the sentence requested by the public prosecutor.
Five of them, who have been in prison on remand, were sentenced to between eight and 14 years each in prison for illegal association and robbery. They were involved in two violent hold-ups at homes in s’Arenal and Palma in July and August 2009.
One of the homeowners was knocked out with a spray and she and her daughter were tied and gagged for more than half an hour while the thieves stole more than €5,000 and valuable jewellery.
In the second case, they attacked a couple, tied and beat them to get them to open the safe, and stole €25,000 and jewellery.
The gang also struck in Felanitx where after knocking through a wall, they stole two safes, and in Palma, where they entered a bar through the roof and stole money from slot and cigarette machines.
The other 10 people received the stolen goods and have been sentenced to between three months and a year in prison, most of whom will only have to pay fines.
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