Thieves posed as customers to start looting laundrettes Credit: Shutterstock/Stely Nikolova
Three people have been arrested over a series of alleged laundrette robberies in Spain’s Marina Alta after investigators uncovered a scheme in which the suspects reportedly posed as ordinary customers before targeting the businesses.
The Guardia Civil detained two men, aged 37 and 42, and a 20-year-old woman on October 14 in connection with five alleged break-ins at self-service laundrettes in El Verger, Pedreguer and Gata de Gorgos, in Alicante province.
More than €4,000 was allegedly stolen during the incidents, while the affected businesses also suffered considerable material damage.
Suspects allegedly posed as customers
The investigation was led by officers from the Guardia Civil’s investigation unit in El Verger after a series of break-ins was reported at laundrettes across the three municipalities over a relatively short period.
Detectives examining the incidents established that the suspects allegedly had prior knowledge of how the businesses operated, including their security arrangements.
According to investigators, the trio had visited the laundrettes beforehand as customers, using the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the premises.
The visits allegedly allowed them to observe how the establishments worked and assess their security measures before returning to carry out the robberies.
The suspected offenders then allegedly entered the businesses, took money and caused damage during the break-ins.
Self-service laundrettes allow customers to wash and dry their clothes without staff being permanently present. Their largely automated operation was central to the alleged method described by investigators, who believe the suspects used their previous visits to prepare for the offences.
The investigation subsequently focused on identifying those responsible for the incidents and establishing whether the same individuals were linked to the robberies across the three locations.
Guardia Civil makes three arrests
Following enquiries, officers were able to identify and locate the three suspects, who were arrested on October 14.
The two men, aged 37 and 42, and the 20-year-old woman are suspected of involvement in five offences of burglary involving forced entry.
The case highlights the financial consequences that repeated break-ins can have for small businesses, with the reported losses extending beyond the money allegedly taken to include damage to the premises.
For businesses operating automated facilities, repairs and disruption can add further costs to the immediate loss of cash.
The Guardia Civil has not detailed the individual amounts allegedly taken from each laundrette or provided a breakdown of the damage suffered at the separate locations.
Case referred to court in Dénia
Following the arrests, the case file was sent to the investigating section of the Court of Instance in Dénia, where the judicial proceedings will continue.
The three individuals remain suspects in connection with the alleged offences, and the accusations have yet to be determined by a court.
The arrests bring an investigation into five reported robberies across El Verger, Pedreguer and Gata de Gorgos to a new stage, with officers having linked the suspects to the incidents.
Residents and business owners in the Marina Alta will be watching for further developments as the case progresses through the judicial system.
The investigation serves as a reminder that even businesses designed to operate with minimal staffing can become targets for thieves, particularly when offenders believe they have identified weaknesses in security.
For the laundrette owners affected, the reported thefts have meant dealing not only with missing money but also with the physical damage left behind by the alleged break-ins.