Five Face Tenerife Court in Third Part of 21-Burglary Trial

This week, the Provincial Court of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is holding the third part of a trial against five people. They are accused of serious burglaries in 21 homes, mostly in the north of the island. The defendants could each face over 23 years in prison. This case has shown how complicated the police and court investigation has been. According to police officers who have testified, the case was split into three separate parts. These parts deal not only with the break-ins themselves but also with related crimes like illegal possession of weapons and drug dealing.

The investigation, a joint effort by the Civil Guard and the National Police, began in late 2023 and early 2024. This followed a sudden rise in reports of homes being broken into in towns across northern Tenerife. Detectives noticed similar patterns in the crimes: specific tools were used to force locks, multiple attackers were involved, and certain car models (a grey Volkswagen Golf, a red Audi A1, and a Seat Arona) kept appearing in the suspects' movements. These clues pointed to an organized group being responsible for the robberies.

Police secretly watched the suspected criminals for several days. This helped them find the cars used and then identify several young people who already had criminal records. A crucial moment happened when officers saw three of the suspects go into a property in Garachico and then quickly leave it a short time later. After getting instructions, officers went inside the property and confirmed it had been burgled. This gave them vital evidence for the investigation.

The investigations eventually led to the arrest of the five suspected criminals. When police searched one of the accused's homes, they found many items. These included jewellery, numerous watches, mobile phones, electronic gadgets, 700 euros in cash, and two firearms. They also found medicines, anabolic steroids, and cocaine, which had been thrown out the window in an attempt to hide it.

Because the case was so complex, it was split into three separate court cases last September. In one of these cases, one of the accused has already been tried for having illegal firearms and drug dealing. In another part, one of the suspects was charged with attacking the owner of a burgled home with a screwdriver. This happened after the owner caught them in the act.

The court hearing happening this week is only about the break-ins and robberies at the 21 homes. So far, 45 of the more than 70 witnesses called have given their testimony. The trial will continue next Monday with more witnesses and experts giving evidence, and the sessions are expected to finish next Wednesday.