Man detained after alleged distraction thefts on motorway

A 25-year-old man was detained on the AP-7 in Vila-seca after Mossos d’Esquadra officers said he tried to flee at high speed following alleged distraction theft attempts against motorists.

The arrest took place on Friday afternoon after officers received an alert that the driver of a vehicle was trying to stop other cars near the Vandellòs i l’Hospitalet de l’Infant service area by making motorists believe they had a puncture.

According to police sources, the operation led officers to the vehicle a short time later. When they moved in, the driver allegedly fled in the wrong direction on the motorway before being intercepted at kilometre 257, within the Vila-seca municipal area.

Police said there were two people in the car and that both were identified. Officers reported that the pair had 34 previous police records linked to property offences.

The driver was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving. Police have not said whether any thefts were completed or whether any victims have yet formally come forward.

How the alert unfolded

The first warning came when officers were told that a car had been used to target passing vehicles on the AP-7, a route that has long been used by travelling thieves looking for drivers to distract before taking valuables from inside cars.

Police said the response involved officers being deployed to several points along the motorway, allowing them to locate the suspects and stop the vehicle after the chase.

Officials did not give further details about the second occupant’s legal status.