The Policía Nacional and the Ertzaintza have dismantled a mobile criminal organisation specialising in home burglaries using the so-called “glue thread” method. This technique allowed the gang to verify whether properties were empty before breaking in. The operation has resulted in the arrest of three men and solved around twenty burglaries committed across the provinces of Alicante and Bizkaia.
The detainees, aged 33, 34 and 38, were based in Torrevieja and travelled to various locations across Spain to carry out the break-ins. The investigation, conducted jointly by officers from the Policía Nacional and the Basque regional police force, Ertzaintza, has successfully linked them to eight burglaries in Alicante, six in Elche, one in Alcoy and five in Bizkaia.
According to security forces, the group used the “glue thread” method, which involves placing small adhesive threads between the door and the doorframe of a property. They would then check back over the following days to see if anyone had entered. If the thread remained intact, the perpetrators concluded that the house was empty and returned to break inside.
The organisation also selected properties based on their lock types and gained access using advanced techniques, such as “impresioning.” This involved using master keys modified with aluminium sheets to open doors without forcing them. Following the burglary, they would close the door using only the latch to prevent neighbours from detecting any signs of forced entry.
Investigators discovered that the group maintained a strict hierarchical structure and implemented rigorous security measures to evade police surveillance, such as continuously using and frequently changing rental vehicles.
The operation was launched after authorities detected the presence of a group dedicated to this type of burglary, which was suspected to be based in Torrevieja. The subsequent enquiries led to coordinated efforts between police stations in Alicante, Elche and Cartagena, alongside the Ertzaintza, after matching similarities between burglaries committed in the Valencian Community and Bizkaia.
Police eventually focused their investigation on a property in Torrevieja that served as the group’s operations base. After obtaining judicial authorisation, officers carried out a search of the property, seizing jewellery, watches, cash and specialised door-opening tools. The three suspects were arrested on suspicion of burglary by force and for membership of a criminal group.
Security forces have warned that this technique is particularly prevalent during holiday periods. Criminals place small markers or glue threads on doors to monitor if properties remain empty for several days. They then enter using methods that leave no visible damage to the locks, such as bumping, impressioning or lock-picking, making it difficult for neighbours to notice the crime immediately. The Policía Nacional advises the public to increase vigilance during holidays and to report any suspicious signs to the security forces.
