The Mossos d"Esquadra are investigating the possible relationship between three assaults on tobacconists in the Urgell region and several intentional vehicle fires registered in recent days. The police line of work points to the same group that would have stolen cars, mostly Seat Ibiza, to commit the heists and then burn them with the aim of eliminating evidence.
The three assaults occurred on Tuesday morning in Belianes, Anglesola and Bellpuig, within a few minutes of each other and in establishments located by the roadside, a circumstance that would have facilitated the escape. There were no injuries in any of the cases.
Three blows in just one hour
The first of the assaults occurred in Belianes at 10:55 hours. The second was in Anglesola at 11:08 hours. The third occurred in Bellpuig around 12:00 hours. Only the robbery at the Anglesola tobacconist's was carried out.
In Belianes and Bellpuig, the authors did not manage to take anything. In both cases, the owners confronted them and frustrated the assault.
The investigation places a presumed perpetrator entering the tobacconists armed with a knife, while an accomplice waited for him outside in a black Seat Ibiza. The assailant acted with his face covered by a balaclava and dark fly-type glasses, feigned a voice with a strange accent and demanded the money with short and threatening phrases.
Stolen and burned vehicles to erase traces
One of the cars used in the events was abandoned and set on fire early Tuesday afternoon in Tàrrega, after the assaults. Initially, it was pointed out that that car had been stolen in Belianes during the weekend.
In addition, the black Seat Ibiza stolen in Belianes appeared burned on Monday in Ciutadilla. That same day, four cars were also intentionally set on fire in the Vall del Corb.
The temporal, geographical, and modus operandi coincidence has led the Mossos to suspect that behind all these events could be the same people. The investigators also consider that the suspects know the area well, since the affected municipalities are a few kilometers from each other and the route was covered with great speed.
Review of cameras and search for the suspects
The Mossos are reviewing the camera recordings to try to identify the alleged perpetrators. The investigation remains open to clarify the connection between the assaults on tobacco shops and the chain of vehicle fires in the region.