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Theft

Large-Scale Thefts of Luxury Watches: Gang Dismantled in Italy with Support of Eurojust

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation, Eurojust, played a crucial role in the dismantling of a gang involved in large-scale thefts of luxury watches in Italy, southern Spain, and France. The operation, carried out with the support of Eurojust, led to the arrest of nine members of the gang, who targeted elderly victims in wealthier tourist resorts, mostly in Italy, Ibiza, Spain, and Saint-Tropez, France. The gang's value of stolen watches is estimated at least EUR 370,000.

Key Takeaways:

  • The gang, led by two senior members, was dismantled in Italy with the support of Eurojust, following a successful exchange of information and evidence between police forces in southern Italy, Ibiza, Spain, and Saint-Tropez, France.
  • The suspects were part of a roving gang that traveled frequently between the three countries, targeting elderly victims in wealthier tourist resorts, mostly in Italy, Ibiza, Spain, and Saint-Tropez, France.
  • The gang's modus operandi involved targeting victims on motorcycles, followed by accomplices in cars, and stealing expensive watches, which were then passed on to the accomplices.
  • The operation was carried out by the following authorities: Public Prosecutor's Office of Lucca, Italy; State Police of Naples, Caserta, Foggia, Avellino, and Salerno, Italy; Public Prosecutor's Offices of Nice, Draguignan, and Paris (International Cooperation Section), France; Investigative Court no. 4 of Ibiza and Public Prosecutor's Office of the Baleares, Spain.
  • The value of the stolen watches is estimated at least EUR 370,000.
  • Two senior gang members gave instructions for the thefts and chose new recruits and target locations, scheduled the financing of the trips for gang members, and arranged their transport from prison in Ibiza.
  • The two senior gang members were detained for similar thefts in the past and were arrested again in Italy.

Statistics:

  • At least 9 members of the gang were arrested.
  • The value of the stolen watches is estimated at least EUR 370,000.
  • The gang operated in Italy, Spain, and France.
  • The gang targeted elderly victims in wealthier tourist resorts, mostly in Italy, Ibiza, Spain, and Saint-Tropez, France.

Sources:

  • Eurojust, "Large-scale thefts of luxury watches: gang dismantled in Italy with support of Eurojust," July 25 (available online at https://www.eurojust.europa.eu/news/large-scale-thefts-luxury-watches-gang-dismantled-italy-support-eurojust)

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