Police arrest Costa del Sol crime group members that targeted Marbella properties

OFFICERS of the National Police have arrested two members of a Benalmadena burglary group that targeted more than 20 houses in Marbella.

Two of the three suspected members have been detained so far.

The Benalmadena-based organisation stole from more than 20 houses in Marbella, always acting at night with their prime targets being empty houses in residential areas.

They accessed the houses and made away with their loot in stolen vehicles.

Police have identified at least 26 cases of theft in family homes and have recovered numerous items taken by the crooks in their overnight raids of Marbella residential houses, including jewellery, money and handbags.

Each member of the organisation had a specific function such as surveying the area for police presence, driving, or gaining access to the houses.

Police eventually tracked the group down and found them to be based in the Benalmadena area.

As the men were confronted by police, they attempted to flee in a stolen vehicle that belonged to one of the agents involved in the investigation.

Two men of Algerian nationality, aged 22 and 41, were arrested upon suspicion of belonging to a criminal group, breaking and entering, robbery, vehicle theft, breaches of road safety and assaulting a police officer.

The investigation will remain open whilst attempts are made to apprehend the suspected third member of the group.