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A gang of masked burglars is putting petrol station owners in the Region of Murcia on high alert, striking in rapid, early-morning raids that last little more than two minutes.

 

The thieves, often described as two tall and slim young men, arrive in a stolen car, equipped with a sledgehammer, a pickaxe and gloves. One smashes through reinforced glass, the other keeps watch. Their main target is the tobacco vending machine, which can contain as much as €3,000 worth of stock.

 

The Region of Murcia Service Station Association says there have been at least sixteen robberies or attempted robberies since June. The method is always the same: break in, drag the cigarette machine away, and vanish before police or the Guardia Civil have time to respond.

 

One such incident happened at 3.13am on Wednesday July 30 at a BP in Cabezo de Torres. The pair broke through the glass in under a minute but, in this case, failed to lift the heavy machine into the car. By 3.15am, they had gone.

 

“This is Russian roulette,” said one owner. “You wake up every morning afraid to see if it’s you this time.” Association president José Baños is convinced the same gang is behind all the raids. “We’ll see if they can catch them, but there aren’t enough resources,” he said. His own station near Mula was hit only last week.

 

Stations have been targeted across Librilla, Molina de Segura, Beniel, Caravaca, Bullas, Yecla, Jumilla, San Javier, Torre Pacheco, Mazarrón and several Murcia city districts. In some cases, such as Torreagüera earlier this week, police arrived in time to intervene, but the robbers still escaped through nearby farmland, abandoning tools and a machine.

 

The financial impact is significant. A single robbery involving the theft of a cigarette machine, and the damage to windows or doors, can cost between €5,000 and €6,000. Owners say bolting machines to the floor does not deter the thieves, and many are now considering protective metal cages costing around €1,500.

 

Baños also warns that petrol station crime is not limited to these night-time raids. “Thefts are skyrocketing. People take the most expensive products and walk out. And fuel theft is out of control. Eventually, all stations will have to be prepaid,” he said. At his four stations alone, he has filed nine complaints against drivers who filled up, often for €70 or €80, and left without paying.

 

For now, police investigations continue, and owners reinforce their machines and doors, hoping the next break-in will not be at their door.

 

 

 

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