The Civil Guard has put an end to the activities of a criminal group that operated itinerantly, specializing in forced robberies in commercial establishments across several Andalusian provinces. The operation concluded with the arrest of its four members.
The assaults were primarily targeted at bars and hospitality venues in small towns, using the cover of night to commit the crimes. The group's main objective was cash registers and the takings from amusement machines. One of the affected municipalities is Noguerones, a district of Alcaudete (Jaén).
Their modus operandi was consistent: nighttime travel and late-night robberies. In addition to Noguerones-Alcaudete, robberies have been confirmed in several towns in Málaga, including El Burgo, Arriate, Ardales, and Benamargosa. The four gang members resided in Puente Genil (Córdoba).
The investigation, codenamed ‘Burtys’, began after two consecutive robberies in bars in El Burgo and Arriate. Agents from the Ronda Civil Guard Company managed to link both incidents and, after months of surveillance, identified the suspects. The group's itinerant nature complicated the investigation, but the evidence gathered allowed for their authorship to be proven.
The arrest phase was executed in May 2026, with the simultaneous detention of all four members in their place of residence. The detainees, who have numerous prior convictions for similar offenses, have been placed at the disposal of the Court of Instruction number 3 of Ronda as alleged perpetrators of robbery with force and criminal group membership. The investigation remains open to determine if the group is involved in other unassigned robberies.
