The Civil Guard has arrested five men of Venezuelan nationality accused of two violent robberies of high-end watches in a shopping centre in Majadahonda. The material author of the acts has been imprisoned.
The gang operated with a meticulous modus operandi: two members identified victims inside the shopping centre, followed their steps, and communicated their clothing to the rest of the group. Once the target was located, a third man continued the follow-up outside while the two material authors arrived on a motorcycle. The driver circled to ensure an escape, while the passenger pointed a gun at the victim and snatched the watch.
€1,000 watch recovered in a shop in Madrid
The investigation began in November 2025, following a report of a robbery in the shopping centre's parking lot. The victim was threatened with a gun and had a watch valued at €1,000 stolen from him. The agents managed to recover the item in a pawn shop in the capital, which allowed them to identify the members of the organisation.
The arrests took place in Madrid, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Tarragona, and Córdoba. The material author of the robberies has been imprisoned, while the rest of the detainees have been released with charges, awaiting the judge to determine their procedural situation.
The weapon used was fake
The Civil Guard has confirmed that the gun used in the assaults was fake, meaning a replica that does not fire real ammunition. The weapon has been sent to the forensic laboratory for analysis. Despite this, the fear of the victims was real: in both cases, the thieves pointed directly at the heads of the victims to force the surrender of the watches.
The organisation was composed exclusively of five men of Venezuelan nationality, with perfectly defined roles. Two of them were responsible for surveillance and victim selection, another for exterior follow-up, and the last two executed the robbery. The gang acted with speed and coordination, which made their initial identification difficult.
Local residents, especially regulars at the Majadahonda shopping centre, have expressed their concern for safety. The Civil Guard recommends exercising extreme caution in parking lots and not displaying valuable items ostentatiously. Authorities remind that any information about similar incidents can be reported to phone number 062.
This case is not isolated: in recent months, the Community of Madrid has recorded an increase in high-end watch thefts in commercial and leisure areas. Gangs usually operate in small groups and with two-wheeled vehicles to facilitate escape. The Civil Guard maintains specific operations to combat this type of crime.
The Majadahonda shopping centre, one of the busiest in the western area, has reinforced its private security following these incidents. Customers can request accompaniment to their vehicles if they wish. The investigation remains open to determine if the gang is involved in other similar robberies.
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