A pair has been apprehended following a series of alleged “love hug” theft incidents where elderly individuals had their possessions taken after being embraced. Spain’s Policia Nacional disclosed the arrest of two individuals, aged 26 and 30, who conducted thefts in various regions of the Costa Blanca and Valencia provinces in southeastern Spain, employing deceptive methods.
The suspects reportedly focused on elderly victims, pretending familiarity by welcoming them with hugs or kisses. Subsequently, they would surreptitiously snatch the victims’ belongings like bags, jewelry, and wallets. If met with resistance, they resorted to violence. According to reports from The Olive Press, the duo executed around 10 thefts in Alicante and an additional three in the Valencia area between February and June this year.
The couple allegedly carried out the crimes after traveling from a base in Santa Coloma de Gramanet in Barcelona, embarking on targeted expeditions across Spain to locate victims. Upon raiding their residence, authorities discovered a stash of jewelry, cash, and various items, with an estimated value exceeding €1,000 (£882). Investigators speculated that the recovered jewelry hinted at involvement in additional unreported thefts, as some pieces did not match existing crime records.
Instances of love hug crimes have been escalating in Spain recently. In a separate event, two women aged 29 and 26 were arrested in 2024 while attempting a similar tactic. Their arrest thwarted the theft of a 70-year-old man’s gold chain, which they tried to take while offering him sex in a public setting. Law enforcement intervened as one of the suspects attempted to grab the jewelry, leading to their apprehension. It was later revealed that one of the detained individuals had prior involvement in comparable offenses.
In a notable case from 2023, a 24-year-old woman was arrested for using the same tactic to steal a victim’s €25,000 (£22,067) watch.