The National Police have dismantled two criminal groups in Fuenlabrada (Madrid) dedicated to the theft of electric scooters and bicycles. In total, four individuals have been arrested as alleged perpetrators of 16 counts of theft and receiving stolen goods.
One of the groups, led by one of the detainees, received requests from individuals to obtain specific bicycles or scooters previously seen in the town. The other two members of the group cut the vehicles' chains with bolt cutters and took them to a premises run by the ringleader, where they were sold. On one occasion, a victim recognized their stolen bicycle displayed in the window of one of these establishments.
Investigations began in May after becoming aware of several thefts using the same modus operandi in public areas of Fuenlabrada, with the suspects acting within minutes. On June 8, the premises where the stolen items were kept were searched, leading to the arrest of three individuals.
In a parallel operation, a fourth suspect was arrested who contacted victims through second-hand trading platforms. After gaining their trust and asking to test the scooters, he would steal them and cut off all communication. This individual is accused of four continuous property crimes.
Between both operations, 16 criminal offenses have been solved, and the stolen items have been recovered and returned to their rightful owners.
