Three arrested over alleged organised storage‑unit thefts in Andorra

Police this weekend arrested three non‑resident men, aged 31, 41 and 49, on suspicion of belonging to an organised group that has been forcing storage units in the central valley since August. Two suspects were detained on Saturday afternoon after being found inside a storage facility on Verge del Pilar in Andorra la Vella; they attempted to flee and were arrested on the premises. The third was detained on Sunday at midday while returning to one of the vehicles used in the operation.

Investigators say the group’s modus operandi was to rent a unit legally via a website to obtain the building access code, enter the facility and force padlocks on other units to remove valuables. Police located the two cars used to travel to Andorra; in one vehicle they found tools consistent with forcing storage units, equipment for dismantling watches and devices to check the authenticity and purity of gold. No stolen items were recovered on the suspects at the time of arrest.

Authorities link the suspects to at least four complaints filed between August and October, with reported losses totalling about €90,000. Police say the three have prior records in several European countries; some reports identify them as Romanian nationals residing in Catalonia. The group remains under investigation and judicial authorities have ordered the three held in pretrial detention while inquiries continue.

Separately, police arrested two men in connection with violent incidents at nightlife venues. A 26‑year‑old was detained after an altercation inside a nightclub in Andorra la Vella in which he punched another man while holding a glass; the victim suffered a deep facial wound that required multiple stitches and was taken to hospital. A 31‑year‑old tourist was arrested at Pas de la Casa after an outside fight left a man with an open wound to the lip. Both suspects face charges related to bodily harm.

Law‑enforcement officers also made several drug‑possession arrests. Three tourists, aged 25, 26 and 29, were stopped at the Runer river border on Saturday evening and found to be carrying 1.06 g, 0.90 g and 1.10 g of cocaine respectively. A fourth man, 26, was detained in the car park of a nightclub in El Tarter after being found with a pill that tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine.

Traffic police arrested three drivers for driving under the influence, with blood‑alcohol readings ranging from 1.22 to 2.56 g/l. The highest result, 2.56 g/l, was recorded in Escaldes‑Engordany after officers observed a prohibited U‑turn and the vehicle travelling the wrong way. Officers also arrested a driver detected driving with a suspended licence and detained a person at Pas de la Casa for breaching an administrative expulsion order.

Police described the weekend’s operations as part of ongoing enforcement work targeting thefts, public‑order offences and drug‑ and traffic‑related offences. Investigations into the storage‑unit cases remain open and further arrests are not ruled out.