Source: Eurojust
25 July 2025|
Nine members of a gang involved in stealing luxury watches were arrested this week in Italy, with the support of Eurojust. Through an exchange of information and evidence via the Agency, police forces across southern Italy were able to link the criminals to thefts in various Italian cities, as well as in Ibiza, Spain and Saint-Tropez, France. The suspects were part of a roving gang, which travelled frequently between the three countries.
The criminal network mainly targeted elderly victims in wealthier tourist resorts, following them on motorcycles. Once a target was established and with the cooperation of accomplices who followed the motorbikes by car in small and busy streets, expensive watches were snatched from the victims.
The thefts took place at carefully chosen opportunities, for instance, when victims got out of their cars. The watches were then passed on to the accomplices in cars. The value of the stolen watches is estimated at at least EUR 370 000.
The gang was run by two senior members. For part of the time, they ran the operation from prison in Ibiza, where they were detained for similar thefts. They have now been arrested again in Italy. The two senior gang members gave instructions for the thefts and chose new recruits and target locations. They also arranged the financing of the trips for gang members and their transport.
The operation was carried out at the request of and by the following authorities:
- Italy: Public Prosecutor’s Office of Lucca; State Police of Naples, Caserta, Foggia, Avellino and Salerno
- France: Public Prosecutor’s Offices of Nice, Draguignan and Paris (International Cooperation Section)
- Spain: Investigative Court no. 4 of Ibiza; Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Baleares