Organized Crime Group Allegedly Stole Over 1,000 Restaurant Chairs Worth Nearly $70,000
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Spain’s National Police announced that they apprehended a group of seven who stole over 1,000 chairs from dining establishments
The heist was done strategically between August and September, amounting to roughly $69,000
All seven of the suspects will face charges of theft and belonging to a criminal organization
Certain restaurant and bar owners in Spain are missing most, if not all, of their dining chairs after a criminal group had been stealing chairs from outdoor seating areas.
According to a report from the Associated Press, published on Wednesday, Oct. 22, Spain’s National Police force announced the arrest of seven suspects (six men and one woman) who were accused of making off with over 1,100 chairs in just two months.
The accused reportedly targeted 18 establishments across Madrid and Talavera de la Reina, a smaller city southwest of the capital, during August and September. Authorities estimate the stolen chairs were worth roughly $69,000, or 60,000 euros.
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Corner of a outdoor restaurant with empty tables and seats in Spain
According to investigators, as reported by AP, the group operated primarily at night, carefully selecting restaurants and bars where chairs were left outside. Many Spanish eateries keep tables and chairs outdoors, even after hours, by stacking them together and even chaining them to deter theft. Despite these precautions, the suspects managed to remove the furniture without immediate detection.
Police stated that the stolen chairs were not kept for personal use. Instead, the suspects resold them both in Spain and abroad, including in Morocco and Romania, turning what might seem like a small-scale prank into a lucrative criminal enterprise.
The seven individuals now face charges of theft and belonging to a criminal organization. Authorities emphasized the unusual nature of the case, noting that while petty theft is common, the systematic targeting of outdoor seating on such a large scale is rare.
For Madrid and Talavera de la Reina restaurateurs, the case serves as a reminder that even everyday objects left in plain sight can become targets. Police have urged establishments to continue and take extra precautions for securing outdoor furniture and to remain vigilant, especially during late hours.
While the image of stolen chairs may provoke a smirk, the consequences were serious for both the business owners and the suspects, who could face significant legal repercussions if convicted.
And it seems high-priced robberies are on the rise, following the recent news of France’s historic jewelry collection, which dates back to the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, being stolen from the Louvre museum.
According to a spokesperson from the Louvre, the robbery took place on Sunday, Oct. 19, around 9:30 a.m. local time. The suspects accessed the Galerie d’Apollon (Apollo Gallery) through a window that was forced open and entered the building carrying small chainsaws and angle grinders.
The Ministry of Culture, as reported by Reuters, confirmed that nine pieces of the crown jewels were taken, including a tiara, necklace and a single earring worn by Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense made from sapphire; a matching emerald necklace and emerald earrings worn by Napoleon Bonaparte’s second wife Marie-Louise; a tiara and large brooch, known as the “reliquary brooch,” that was previously owned by Empress Eugénie.
“Beyond their market value, these items have inestimable heritage and historical value,” the Lourve said in a statement on the historic incident, obtained by PEOPLE. “The ministers of culture and the interior are on site with the museum’s management.”
Read the original article on People
