The couple that pickedpockets in Costa Blanca shops memorised the PIN numbers of elderly customers

A ROMANIAN couple have been arrested in Denia after stealing bank cards from elderly people and clocking up transactions of €10,853.

Five victims, aged from 64 to 88, were reported by the Policia Nacional.

The woman, 36 and the man, 31 worked in shopping centers in Alzira. Benidorm. Denia.

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They picked their targets inside stores and looked for people making purchases of over €50 which meant they had to input their card PIN number at a terminal.

The one of the two would sneak right up to the terminal, without drawing suspicion. They then memorized the secret code.

Then they followed their victim, and created a distraction in order to steal their wallet.

The cardholder, knowing the PIN and having the card with them, made withdrawals from the ATM and purchased gift cards or expensive products at different stores.

It was difficult to locate them as they were travelling in rental vehicles.

The Policia Nacional conducted a special investigation to find the couple. They found their car rental near a Denia mall.

The suspects were caught and arrested when they fled the shopping center in a hurry.

Among their belongings was a recently stolen bank card, around €1,000 in cash, gift cards from various shops and clothes they used to change their appearance.

Officers stated that the detainees had acted with skill, coordination and efficiency, often breaking up in order to not arouse suspicion while they targeted vulnerable victims.

The couple has no criminal records.