Two individuals have been apprehended for engaging in a series of thefts under the guise of a “love hug” spree, targeting elderly victims in various regions of Spain’s Costa Blanca and Valencia provinces. The suspects, aged 26 and 30, were arrested by Spain’s Policia Nacional for employing deceptive tactics to rob unsuspecting individuals by embracing or kissing them before snatching their valuables. If met with resistance, they resorted to violence. According to reports, the couple is believed to have committed around 10 thefts in Alicante and three in the Valencia area between February and June this year, after traveling from a base in Santa Coloma de Gramanet in Barcelona. The police raid on their property uncovered a significant amount of stolen items, including jewelry, cash, and other valuables worth over €1,000 (£882). The recovered items indicated potential involvement in additional thefts, some of which were not previously reported.
Instances of “love hug” crimes have been on the rise in Spain, with similar incidents reported in recent years. In one case, two women aged 29 and 26 were arrested in 2024 while attempting a similar tactic. Their arrest prevented the theft of a gold chain from a 70-year-old man, who was approached under false pretenses. Another incident in 2023 involved a 24-year-old woman using the same tactic to steal a €25,000 watch. Police have been vigilant in cracking down on such criminal activities, intervening to prevent further victimization.