A criminal network consisting of 17 individuals who allegedly assaulted elderly women inside the entrances of their own homes to steal their jewellery has been dismantled by the Guardia Civil. The criminal group was also involved in retail drug trafficking, operating in the town of Altea and nearby municipalities within the Alicante province.
Operation “Kilada” commenced in February 2026 following numerous complaints from elderly women who had been approached and wrestled by one or more individuals. The attackers stole the jewellery they were wearing, including necklaces, bracelets and rings, causing injuries in the majority of instances.
Following these complaints, a significant increase in this type of crime was detected. The offences were committed by young individuals who followed their victims and targeted them as they entered the hallways of their buildings, out of the sight of third parties.
Investigative efforts established that the group, comprising at least a dozen unidentified youths, usually operated in rotating pairs or trios, and occasionally alone. The elderly victims were targeted while walking along the promenades of Altea or l’Alfàs del Pi, or while sitting at local outdoor terraces.
When the women began their journey home, they were followed at a prudent distance. As they accessed their building entrances, the perpetrators entered behind them to commit the robbery. In several instances, they grabbed the victims by the neck or knocked them to the ground, resulting in injuries in most cases. During one incident, one of the perpetrators even entered the victim’s home, wrestling with her before stealing a gold necklace.
Once the majority of the group members were identified, officers carried out a search at a property located on one of the main streets in the urban centre of Altea, with support from the Citizen Security Units of Torrevieja and Calpe and the Canine Service. Initial arrests included thirteen men and two women. Officers subsequently located and detained two additional targets in Altea and Benidorm, bringing the total to seventeen detainees aged between 17 and 31.
During the search of the property, officers seized 15 grams of cocaine, 21 grams of hashish resin and around thirty canisters of nitrous oxide, along with tools for cutting, weighing and distribution. Officers also recovered several pieces of stolen jewellery, cash, four electric scooters and fifteen high-end mobile phones, some of which were still packaged.
The detainees are facing charges for a continuous crime against property, drug trafficking and membership of a criminal group. They have been placed at the disposal of the competent Instruction Section of the Benidorm Court of Instance and have been released with precautionary measures imposed.
