A worrying string of robberies has shaken the Community of Madrid over the past month, totaling six assaults on jewelry stores. The incidents, which have occurred in various parts of the region, including the capital, Torrejón de Ardoz, and shopping centers such as La Vaguada and Espacio Torrelodones, share a violent modus operandi and meticulous planning.
The assaults, often carried out in broad daylight by organized groups with covered faces and carrying long-caliber firearms, have generated alarm. The similarity in execution and the planned escape in stolen or rented vehicles are reminiscent of periods of greater criminality in the sector, according to sources from the Madrid Jewelers Guild.
“"A series of events have occurred that we haven't seen in such a short period for a long time. It concerns and worries us because it's a bit reminiscent of the sector's 'years of lead' at the beginning of the century. They are unscrupulous individuals who use firearms, which can cause injuries and even deaths..."
The Madrid Jewelers Guild has expressed its deep concern over this escalation of violence and has highlighted the need to reform current legislation. They are focusing on the Criminal Procedure Law, requesting its modernization to adapt to the reality of organized gangs, many of them composed of foreigners who, after the robberies, flee the country to avoid being prosecuted.
The sector's main demand is the application of provisional detention for repeat offenders, even in cases of property crimes without active violence. They argue that the current law allows criminals to be provisionally released pending trial, which facilitates their reoffending and escape from the country.
“"In our country, you don't go to jail just for stealing"
Jewelers criticize that provisional detention is conceived as an exceptional measure, and that criminals, especially foreigners, take advantage of this situation. Most large jewelry chains find the hiring of additional private security economically unfeasible, and point out that the nature of their business, which requires direct customer contact, makes it difficult to implement deterrent measures such as security screens.
