Police dismantle 'Vatican gang' that stole €3 million in Madrid jewelry heists using disguises
Spanish police have arrested 10 or 11 members of a Peruvian gang that used disguises, including priest and nun habits, to rob five jewelry stores and a bank in Madrid, netting over €3 million.
The investigation begins
On 27 March, three men attempted to rob a BBVA branch in San Blas-Canillejas, one disguised as a woman, another as a delivery driver. They fled empty-handed, but the rental car left a trail.
We found out who had rented the vehicle and that allowed us to start the investigation.
The group had previously committed distraction thefts against elderly people across Spain, but the failed bank heist marked a shift to more violent, high-value targets.
Escalation to jewelry stores
After the bank attempt, the gang turned to jewelry stores. On 13 April, they struck in Tetuán, using a chokehold on an employee and taking €500,000. On 30 April, they hit Usera, threatening three employees with a gun and escaping with €600,000. On 15 May, during the San Isidro festival, they robbed a store in Torrejón de Ardoz, netting €1.5 million after holding a suspicious employee at gunpoint.
- Failed bank robbery at BBVA in San Blas-Canillejas; three men flee empty-handed.
- Jewelry store in Tetuán robbed; employee choked, €500,000 taken.
- Jewelry store in Usera robbed; three employees threatened with gun, €600,000 taken.
- Jewelry store in Torrejón de Ardoz robbed; employee held at gunpoint, €1.5 million taken.
- Two members arrested in Ciudad Lineal while dressed as a priest and a nun; gang dismantled.
Disguises and recruitment
The gang, mostly Peruvians aged 20 to 50, lived in a squatted house in Puente de Vallecas. They recruited vulnerable compatriots in parks and shopping centres, paying €50 to €200 for surveillance. Disguises ranged from construction workers to a priest and nun, used in their final heist on 10 June in Ciudad Lineal.
There were people in charge of scouting the jewelry stores and checking their security measures.
The final takedown
On 10 June, police spotted two members dressed as a priest and a nun casing stores. They were arrested in the act. In total, 10 or 11 people were detained (sources vary), with five remanded in custody. The loot, over €3 million, has not been recovered.
