Four men have been arrested in connection with some 30 robberies with violence and intimidation in petrol stations, restaurants and tobaccionists in Alicante and the Murcia region, and prívate houses and leisure facilities in Calasparra, Santomera and Abanilla.
Two Morrocan men, aged between 36 and 44 years, and two Algerians, aged from 39 to 49, have been arrested in a joint operation between the Guardia Civil and the National Police, and charged with the robberies plus possession of illegal weapons; illegal detention; belonging to a criminal organisation; and vehicle theft.
The arrests took place on Wednesday following searches in prívate houses in La Union, El Algar and Cieza as well as Bigastro in Alicante.
During the attacks the men used semi-automatic pistols, rifles, machetes and Japonese swords to threaten employees in the premises targetted and then stole vehicles to make their getaway.
The alleged thieves have appeared before magistrates in Cartagena, Cieza and Orihuela.
