Members of a “careless” theft gang arrested in Morro Jable

It is an itinerant gang that operated across all the Canary Islands.

The Civil Guard of the Main Station in Morro Jable, on the island of Fuerteventura, has concluded the “Jefuire” investigation with the arrest of two individuals and the investigation of two more for alleged continuous theft offenses (ten criminal acts) and the misappropriation of a vehicle. The suspects specialized in “careless” thefts and operated itinerantly on several islands.

The investigation began in mid‑February after a surge of complaints in the municipality of Pájara, where agents identified a pattern focused on:

• Thefts inside vehicles
• “Careless” thefts in high‑traffic areas

The primary victims were elderly tourists, chosen for their vulnerability in crowded settings. The gang employed a refined technique known as “the crutch” (la muleta), which involves using a piece of clothing, newspaper or magazine to conceal the hand. They approached tourists from behind, opened backpacks or bags, and stole wallets without any noticeable physical contact.

In addition to the “crutch” method, the accused perfected a technique to steal from the interiors of rental cars without forcing the locks:

1. They monitored parking areas in tourist zones, waiting for vehicles.
2. While occupants exited the car, one member subtly opened a rear door or the trunk, creating a closure failure.
3. When the driver activated the remote to close the car, the security system detected an open door and did not engage central locking, leaving the vehicle fully accessible.
4. Once the tourists walked away confidently, the perpetrators entered the car and took wallets, purses, and other valuables.

Armed with this information, agents from the Investigation Area of the Morro Jable station carried out the necessary police inquiries and procedures to clarify the events.

Due to the social alarm generated, discreet surveillance and operational devices were deployed on public roads. This enabled a patrol on 18 February, after a new theft in Morro Jable, to intercept and arrest a man and a woman, both with prior records for identical offenses.

Beyond the thefts, they are also charged with misappropriation of a vehicle, as they used a rental car they had not returned after the lease ended to travel and commit the crimes.

The detainees have been placed at the disposal of the court, and the investigative files have been submitted to the guard court of Puerto del Rosario. The Civil Guard continues its efforts to recover the stolen items, identify co‑authors, and does not rule out further arrests.