Overview
- On January 16, a Caja Rural branch in Cáceres was robbed at gunpoint, two employees were assaulted and tied with zip ties, and €154,000 was taken.
- Police identified the suspects as Félix “el Flaco” (about 55) and Juan Carlos (about 58), described as long‑time offenders recently out of prison, with UDEV Central leading the inquiry.
- The method detailed by investigators included entry at closing time, knowledge of delay timers and keypad lockouts, forcing open the safe and ATM, and moving cash in a backpack and a briefcase found on site.
- Detectives say the pair traveled from Madrid days earlier disguised as workers and slept in a van, and later executed Operation Grinch‑Srek with four searches across Madrid, Arroyomolinos, Fuenlabrada and Camarenilla (Toledo) that seized related materials, a vehicle and €2,450 in €10 notes.
- Félix was stopped days after the heist in Madrid with a simulated pistol, masks and drugs and was returned to prison; both men have since been brought before a judge and placed in provisional custody as police examine a possible third participant and the unaccounted funds.