Officers from the Mossos d'Esquadra's Investigation Unit, with collaboration from the Valls station, have arrested three men aged between 48 and 59 in Valls. They are accused of being the alleged perpetrators of two burglaries, three thefts, and several attempted crimes, primarily in industrial estates. The operation remains open, and further arrests are not ruled out.
The investigation, which culminated in arrests last Wednesday, has identified an organized group of four individuals dedicated to the systematic theft of industrial pallets. The investigated incidents span several regions, including Alt Camp, Conca de Barberà, Tarragonès, Baix Llobregat, and Penedès. The estimated value of the stolen goods or attempted thefts amounts to approximately 10,900 euros.
The group's modus operandi involved accessing industrial estates with a van, forcing fences or exploiting vulnerable points to quickly load pallets, while one member acted as a lookout. The Mossos highlighted the speed and apparent normalcy with which they operated, even simulating the collection of materials like cardboard to avoid suspicion.
The investigation intensified following incidents that occurred between late May and early June in Alcover and Santa Coloma de Queralt. In Santa Coloma, two vans were intercepted with 170 stolen pallets from a company, valued at around 2,700 euros. In Alcover, two group members were caught attempting to steal a hundred pallets, while two others fled.
Concurrently, the investigation has linked the group to thefts and attempted thefts at companies in Tarragona, Baix Llobregat, and Penedès, including operations in Collbató, Llorenç del Penedès, Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, and Tarragona. In a significant case, 100 pallets were stolen from a Tarragona industrial estate on May 7th, with a repeat attempt at the same establishment days later. Thefts from operational companies have also been documented, often without immediate detection by staff.
The three detainees have a combined record of nearly 140 police antecedents and were part of a larger criminal group. The investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of the robberies and potential connections to other similar incidents in Catalonia. The arrested individuals have been brought before the court in Valls.
