Collaboration between the State Police and the National Police: 12 arrests with European warrants for thefts of luxury watches

Action day between Italy and Spain

On Friday, May 15, the State Police in Naples made 12 arrests during an action day conducted in conjunction with the Spanish National Police (Policía Nacional) in execution of European arrest warrants. The operation targeted individuals believed to be involved in high-value watch robberies, who were originally from Naples and operated in tourist destinations in some of Spain's major cities, including Marbella, Barcelona, ​​Malaga, Ibiza, and Palma de Mallorca.

Operational coordination and numbers

The operation was conducted by the Central Operations Service and the Naples Flying Squad, coordinated by Europol and with the participation in Italy of the Specialized and Violent Crime Unit (UDEV), and the General Commission for Judicial Policing of the National Police. Over the past two years, this same investigative effort has already led to the arrest of 19 individuals believed to be responsible for high-value watch robberies. With Friday's arrests, the total number of arrests in Spain and Italy has risen to approximately 33. This figure confirms the transnational dimension of the phenomenon and the level of investigative cooperation achieved between the authorities of the two countries.

The paranze method

The investigations allowed us to reconstruct the operations of the groups involved and the connection between Naples and several Spanish destinations with high tourist traffic. According to the investigations, the robbers operated in groups, known as "paranze," consisting of an average of three to five people with specific tasks. One individual would identify the victim wearing a particularly valuable watch, while the others remained at a distance to avoid attracting attention. The victims were selected in upscale restaurants, beach clubs, and prestigious hotels, and then followed until the most favorable moment to carry out the robbery.

The attack and the escape on a scooter

At the appointed moment, one or two members of the group violently attacked the victim, ripping the watch from his wrist. Immediately thereafter, the robber fled on a scooter driven by an accomplice. The dynamics, reconstructed by investigators, reveal an organization based on rapid action, division of roles, and the ability to navigate crowded tourist environments.

The luxury watch market

The near-exponential increase in the price of luxury watches in recent years has fueled the spread of the phenomenon throughout Europe, particularly as some rare models fetch market prices significantly higher than their list prices. The investigative effort not only dismantled the criminal group but also challenged the notion that a crime committed abroad is difficult to prosecute. To plan the operation and future collaboration on the issue, a meeting was recently held between the heads of the Spanish Judicial Police and the Central Operations Service.

The network between Naples and Spain

The project strengthened the exchange of information between Europol and the law enforcement agencies of the countries involved, increasing cooperation and the sharing of data and analysis results. The investigations uncovered a dense network between Naples and Spain, now characterized by an international dimension and significant revenue streams. Throughout the investigation, constant contact was also ensured thanks to the SCO Unit in Madrid and the Spanish Liaison Officer in Italy.