Spain - December 02, 2024 The Guardia Civil has dismantled a criminal gang that used stolen crane trucks to rip ATMs from bank branches in a spree of at least 19 robberies across Almería, Alicante, Valencia, Tarragona, and Barcelona. The operation, dubbed “Plumajero,” uncovered a sophisticated scheme netting over half a million euros. The investigation began in February after a brazen nighttime robbery in Cartagena, Murcia. The gang used a stolen crane truck to yank an ATM from its base, escaping with €45,000 while causing extensive property damage. Detectives soon identified similar patterns in other provinces, linking the crimes to the same highly organized group. The gang's method involved stealing or disguising vehicles with fake plates, targeting rural banks, and hauling ATMs to remote areas where they used industrial equipment to extract cash. After a series of heists, core members would flee Spain for months, only to return and resume their operations. Seven suspects of Albanian nationality, many with extensive criminal records, have been arrested in raids across Tarragona, Madrid, Murcia, Toledo, and Alicante. Authorities seized specialized tools, €42,720 in cash, and equipment used to disable vehicle security systems. The suspects are now in custody under orders from the Cartagena court, while investigators work to link the gang to additional crimes and recover more stolen funds.