Theft Ring Targeting Barcelona Footballers Dismantled

A criminal gang that stole from the homes of football players in Catalonia has been dismantled.

According to "Sports Three", according to a report from the Catalan police, the forces of Mousos Descuadra in Gava (Barcelona) broke up a criminal group specializing in stealing the homes of famous people, such as footballers, which has been operating in several cities in Catalonia since early 2025.

The operation, which was carried out on October 1, ended with the arrest of two men, 58 and 42 years old, and a 46-year-old woman. These people are accused of committing at least eight cases of robbery in the cities of Castel del Fels (2), El Papiol, Saint Vicens de Montalt, Cobles, Peralada, Saint Pere de Ribes and Aguilana.

According to La Vanguardia newspaper and quoting police sources to Ambassador Arjanafi, the most important case was the robbery of Barcelona goalkeeper Juan Garcia's house. On January 10, two people entered the house where he lived with his wife in one of the towns of Baix Lorbgat (Barcelona).

Investigators also accuse the group of conducting reconnaissance and preparations to rob the home of Garcia's teammate, Jules Cande, although the operation ultimately failed.

Two of the three defendants were presented to the court the day after their arrest. Altogether, these three people have more than 30 criminal records, many of which are related to crimes against property.

The possibility of similar cases outside Catalonia

The investigation began after observing similarities in the methods of committing robberies in different parts of Catalonia. These robberies had similarities in the chosen targets and the methods used, and they targeted the homes of famous people.

In this way, the researchers identified a fixed group that usually traveled in rented cars and used to identify and monitor the movements of the victims and the characteristics of the houses before committing the robbery.

The connections identified with other cases and the mobility of the accused make it possible that they may be connected to other robberies in different parts of Spain. For this reason, the investigation is still ongoing and the clarification of new criminal cases is not ruled out.