Costa Blanca Couple Preyed on Elderly in Deceptive Crime Wave
Spain's Policia Nacional has apprehended a couple allegedly responsible for a disturbing series of robberies where they targeted elderly individuals using a tactic known as the 'love hug'. The two suspects, aged 26 and 30, are accused of moving through various areas in the Costa Blanca and Valencia provinces, feigning familiarity with their victims before embracing or kissing them.
This disarming approach allowed them to snatch belongings like bags, jewellery, and wallets with minimal initial resistance. Authorities reported that the couple would, however, resort to violence if their victims denied them the items they sought.
A Trail of Theft Across Multiple Provinces
According to reports from The Olive Press, the couple is linked to a significant number of incidents. They are suspected of committing up to 10 thefts in Alicante and a further three in the Valencia area during a crime spree that spanned from February to June this year.
Investigations revealed that the pair operated by travelling from their base in Santa Coloma de Gramanet in Barcelona, making special trips specifically to find and victimise people. Following a raid on their property, police recovered a haul of stolen goods that included jewellery, cash, and other valuables. Photos of the evidence showed items worth well over €1,000 (£882).
Officers noted that some of the recovered jewellery did not match any existing crime reports, suggesting the couple may have been involved in several unrecorded robberies.
'Love Hug' Crimes: A Growing Concern in Spain
This arrest highlights a worrying trend of 'love hug' robberies that has been on the rise across Spain in recent years. In a separate incident detailed by police, two women, aged 29 and 26, were arrested in 2024 while attempting a similar tactic.
On that occasion, the pair approached a 70-year-old man in the street and offered him sex, rather than pretending to know him. As one of the women tried to steal the gold chain from his neck, observant officers intervened and prevented the theft. It was later discovered that one of the detainees had a prior history of involvement in similar crimes.
This underhanded method has also been used for high-value thefts. In 2023, police arrested a 24-year-old woman who allegedly used the 'love hug' tactic to steal a watch valued at a staggering €25,000 (£22,067) from a victim.
