# Luxury watch theft and misappropriation in Spain > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/luxury-watch-theft-and-misappropriation-in-spain > Updated: 2026-10-25T11:46:34.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 2. Spanish authorities have conducted major operations targeting organized crime groups specializing in luxury watch thefts. In a joint effort between the Spanish National Police and the Italian Polizia di Stato, 34 individuals were arrested for violent robberies in high-end tourist areas such as Ibiza and the Costa del Sol. The investigation revealed that these criminal cells used a structured division of labor, employing scouts, executors, and motorcycle drivers to facilitate rapid escapes. Authorities recovered several prestigious watches and seized equipment including frequency jammers and fraudulent documents. Separately, legal proceedings have commenced in Madrid regarding the misappropriation of high-end timepieces. A repairman is facing trial after being accused of failing to return 20 out of 32 luxury watches entrusted to him by clients at a Madrid shopping center. The stolen items, valued at approximately 70,650 euros, were reportedly discovered in various resale shops. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-25: Benidorm police face hate crime trial for alleged harassment of trans woman Two Benidorm police officers face trial in Alicante for allegedly using humiliating and discriminatory language toward a transgender woman during the 2020 pandemic lockdown. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/madrid-court-to-trial-luxury-watch-repairman-for-theft ### 2026-10-19: Spanish police arrest 34 in luxury watch theft crackdown Spanish and Italian police arrested 34 people involved in a luxury watch theft ring targeting Ibiza and the Costa del Sol, recovering watches worth hundreds of thousands of euros. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-police-arrest-34-in-luxury-watch-theft-crackdown --- Cite as: Luxury watch theft and misappropriation in Spain. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/luxury-watch-theft-and-misappropriation-in-spain