A couple has been taken into custody for allegedly carrying out a series of thefts dubbed as “love hug” robberies, where they targeted elderly individuals by embracing them and then stealing their belongings.
The Policia Nacional in Spain announced the arrest of a 26-year-old and a 30-year-old who operated in various areas of the Costa Blanca and Valencia provinces using deceptive methods to commit thefts.
According to reports, the couple would approach elderly individuals pretending to be familiar with them, offering hugs or kisses, and then swiftly stealing their bags, jewelry, and wallets. If met with resistance, they resorted to violence to obtain the items.
Law enforcement revealed that the pair carried out around 10 thefts in Alicante and three in Valencia between February and June of this year. They traveled from Santa Coloma de Gramanet in Barcelona to target victims in different parts of Spain.
During a raid on their residence, authorities discovered a significant amount of stolen goods including jewelry, cash, and other valuables, estimated to be over €1,000 (£882). The recovered items indicated potential involvement in additional unreported thefts, as some pieces did not match existing crime records.
Instances of love hug crimes have been on the rise in Spain, with a previous incident in 2024 involving the arrest of two women attempting a similar tactic. In another case in 2023, a 24-year-old woman was apprehended for using the method to steal a watch valued at €25,000 (£22,067).
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