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Worker Arrested in Catalonia as Five Suspects Released in Alicante Elderly-Theft Probes

Police say resale through precious‑metal shops is hindering efforts to recover all the stolen pieces.

Overview

  • Investigators in Martorell detained a 45-year-old care-home worker on March 12 after matching residents’ missing jewelry to items sold at a Baix Llobregat gold-buying shop.
  • The Martorell suspect, who had no prior police record, was presented to the local court on suspicion of continuous theft from highly dependent residents.
  • The Guardia Civil arrested five people in Sant Joan d’Alacant on February 17–18 over a stolen safe with jewelry and gold bars valued at more than €100,000, and a judge later ordered their release.
  • According to the Guardia Civil, the Alicante caregiver allegedly used the victim’s keys, coordinated accomplices to remove the safe, and left Spain for Honduras before a formal complaint was filed.
  • Officers recovered some jewelry from precious-metals shops, observed two detainees wearing stolen gold bracelets, and attribute aggravated offenses including abuse of trust, victim vulnerability, use of a false key, and alleged group criminal activity.