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Date Published: 21/01/2026

Mar Menor burglary gang dismantled with 13 arrests

Guardia Civil links suspects to 25 offences across San Javier, San Pedro del Pinatar and Orihuela

The Guardia Civil in Murcia has arrested 13 members of a criminal gang operating from San Javier, connecting them to 25 burglaries and thefts in the Mar Menor area and beyond. The group, aged between 16 and 45, targeted homes and businesses from San Javier and San Pedro del Pinatar to Orihuela in Alicante. They specialised in quiet break-ins, entering properties through unsecured doors or ajar windows when residents were absent.

The offences break down to 15 thefts, eight break-ins with force, one violent robbery and one vehicle theft. Stolen items focused on easily transportable goods such as jewellery, electronics and small appliances for swift resale on the black market. The gang drew on prior criminal experience to surveil targets and coordinate roles effectively. This follows a separate high-end shoplifting arrest in San Javier last week, where luxury items and significant cash sums were seized.

One incident escalated when suspects looted shop shelves and threatened staff to escape, classifying it as a robbery with violence. The investigation started last year amid rising burglaries in San Javier. Officers identified the group through security camera analysis and crime scene evidence, culminating in an Orihuela raid where one suspect was caught with a laptop and jewellery.

Recovered items include the laptop and several jewellery pieces. Investigators highlighted how "daily life on the coast sometimes leads to a relaxation of vigilance," noting Murcia's 4,498 reported home burglaries in 2023.

All 13 suspects are in custody facing charges. The Guardia Civil continues to probe potential additional offences. Residents in affected areas are urged to secure properties and report suspicions promptly.

Image: Guardia Civil

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