A duo has been apprehended following a series of thefts labeled as “love hug” robberies, where elderly individuals had their possessions taken after being embraced. Spain’s Policia Nacional disclosed that they detained two individuals, aged 26 and 30, who traversed various regions of the Costa Blanca and Valencia provinces in the southeastern part of the country, executing robberies using deceptive maneuvers.
The suspects, as per the police report, focused on elderly victims, pretending to be familiar with them, engaging in hugs or kisses. They utilized these tactics to snatch bags, jewelry, and wallets from their targets, resorting to violence if met with resistance.
According to The Olive Press, law enforcement stated that the pair committed around 10 thefts in Alicante and an additional three in the Valencia area between February and June of the current year. The couple allegedly carried out the thefts after traveling from a home base in Santa Coloma de Gramanet in Barcelona, embarking on specific journeys across Spain to locate victims.
During a police raid on their residence, authorities discovered jewelry, cash, and other items, with photographs revealing a haul exceeding €1,000 (£882). Investigators noted that the recovered jewelry indicated potential involvement in additional unreported thefts, as some items did not match documented crime incidents.
Instances of love hug crimes have been escalating in Spain in recent times. In a separate event, two women aged 29 and 26 were arrested for employing the same tactic in 2024. Their arrest in December of that year thwarted the theft of a 70-year-old man’s gold chain, as they attempted to lull the man by offering sexual favors in public.
While one of the culprits tried to steal the jewelry, police intervened before the act was completed, subsequently discovering that one of the detainees had a history of similar offenses. In a notable case from 2023, a 24-year-old woman was apprehended for using the love hug strategy to rob a victim of a €25,000 (£22,067) watch.
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