Police in Spain said they have smashed a criminal gang allegedly dedicated to committing burglaries in luxury residential areas targeting footballers' homes.

Six members of the group have been arrested and three have been remanded in custody after appearing before the court.

They are believed to be responsible for eight burglaries in homes since July 2022 in the towns in Alcobendas, Pozuelo de Alarcon, Torrelodones, and Madrid.

In one of the burglaries last May, the group made off with some 500,000 euros in watches and jewelry, police said. Officers said the gang then tried to sell off the stolen goods on the black market.

Agents seized 10 watches, several pieces of jewellery, 3,300 euros in cash and two air guns in raids while making the arrests.

The group allegedly used social media to select their targets, studying photographs and videos of the interiors of the athletes' homes posted by their family and friends.

Police said that among those arrested are the two main perpetrators, three accomplices, and the receiver of the stolen goods.

Players such as Rodrygo Silva de Goes from Real Madrid, and Radamel Falcao Garcia Zarate from Rayo Vallecano are said to have been victims of burglaries committed by the gang.