Two men arrested over alleged lorry robberies on Málaga motorway

The Guardia Civil has arrested two men in a probe into thefts and robberies from parked lorries. The alleged crimes took place at service areas on the A-92M in Málaga province.

The force said the main sites were near Villanueva del Trabuco and Villanueva del Rosario. Its police team in Antequera made the arrests under Operation Van-Truck.

The men are suspected of three cases in which locks were forced. They also face two alleged robbery cases in which force or threats were used. A sixth alleged offence relates to road safety. The men and the police file have been sent to the Archidona court. No finding of guilt has been reported.

Lorries picked during rest stops

Police say the group watched lorries while drivers took their required breaks. It then chose vehicles based on the goods they carried. The suspects are said to have forced the locks and removed the load.

The group allegedly used vans with the logo of a fast parcel firm. Police say this helped it draw less notice at the service areas. The reports do not name the parcel firm. They also do not say what goods were taken or give their value.

The Guardia Civil says the group was based in Granada and worked across Andalucía. The reports do not give the dates of the alleged acts. They also do not say how many lorries were involved.

Claims of force and threats

The force says the suspects turned to violence or threats when drivers saw them. One driver was allegedly hit. Other people were said to have been threatened with knives.

The reports do not name any driver. They do not say if anyone needed medical care. They also give no details of the alleged road-safety offence.

Case sent to court

The case is now with the Archidona court. The two men are suspects and have not been reported as convicted. The police claims will have to be tested through the court process.

The five alleged theft and robbery cases are listed as separate acts. The road-safety claim is listed on its own. No later court step appears in the reports used for this story.

Sources: Málaga Hoy, El Español and Diario Sur.