The Civil Guard has arrested two men aged 29 and 53 in Calp (Alicante) as alleged members of a gang of thieves specializing in the 'cogotero' method -distracting the victims to steal-, who had search and arrest warrants in courts of Gandia (Valencia), Almansa (Albacete) and Calahorra (La Rioja).
Those arrested were surprised in the vicinity of a bank where they allegedly stole 4,000 euros from an elderly man in May, as detailed by the Benemérita in a statement.
This operation is part of the prevention and security work that the Civil Guard carries out within the Major Security Plan and those arrested were wanted for alleged crimes of theft and robbery.
On July 6, agents from the town's Civil Guard Main Post carried out the operation after observing the "suspicious" attitude of three men near a bank.
One of the suspects came out of the bank office and began waving at the other two individuals. In the presence of the agents, one of them tried to run away, but was finally intercepted.
Once they were identified, it was possible to prove that two of them in the past month of May and in the same place, supposedly, had committed a theft valued at 4,000 euros after taking advantage of the distraction of an old man.
In addition, both subjects had current search and arrest warrants from the courts of Valencia, Albacete and La Rioja for alleged crimes of theft and robbery with violence. The elderly were his "preferred victims."
Given these facts, the Civil Guard proceeded to arrest both subjects, while the third was released, having nothing pending in court or being involved in any crime under investigation.
At the time of the arrest, several objects allegedly used in the commission of crimes were seized, such as a homemade device to puncture vehicle tires, tools to break windows, communication devices, and clothing intended to change their appearance after committing the crimes. crimes. In addition, a sum of 400 euros in cash was seized. Both detainees have been made available to the Denia Investigation and Guard Court, which has ordered the release of both with precautionary measures.
Criminal groups known as "cogoteros" operate in organized, roaming groups. They are made up of three or more individuals who work in an organized way to commit robberies or thefts, taking advantage of the distraction or vulnerability of the victims, sometimes even offering them some kind of help to divert their attention.
