By Andrew Ede
Copyright majorcadailybulletin
Three of five people arrested in connection with a wave of burglaries from homes in Mallorca have been remanded in custody by courts in Manacor and Palma.
One of the five, a woman, was released after a court appearance on Friday, as was a man who is the father of one of the three men now prison. He is believed to have provided logistical support but to have not taken part in the burglaries.
A Guardia Civil investigation intensified after four firearms were stolen from a home in Esporles on May 2. The number plate of a hire car that was seen near several of the properties where burglaries were committed proved crucial in tracing the five.
The first of these burglaries was in Algaida on April 28. On the same day, there were burglaries at homes in Llucmajor and Montuiri as well as at another property in Algaida. Two days later, the gang was in Arta, Manacor, Sant Llorenç and Son Servera.
Reports of burglaries were lodged with the Guardia Civil and the National Police in Manacor. There was a pattern to the incidents. They were all committed in broad daylight when no one was at home.
As well as the car number plate, investigators were able to trace a stolen laptop to an address where it had been activated. Having identified at least one person, officers now looked for others.
On Wednesday, three of the five were arrested at a property in Campos, the other two in Palma. Searches uncovered numerous items suspected of having been stolen; they are accused of having committed some twenty burglaries. Two of the three men ordered to prison are Spanish, the third is Algerian.
