A CONMAN who posed as a rental car firm employee at Valencia airport has been arrested for stealing at least seven vehicles.
The 44-year-old man with an extensive criminal record picked up keys from clients returning cars, as he greeted them in front of hire firm reception desks inside the terminal.
His robbery spree happened in late April with the Policia Nacional receiving complaints from rental companies about a wave of thefts.
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The man operated at night and once he had received a set of keys, he would move the car to another airport parking lot or even drive it to another terminal.
The police said that after stealing a vehicle, he hid the keys in the shock absorber springs of the left-front wheel.
He would leave the car parked up in its new spot for a period of time to ensure that the rental firm would not find it.
The thief, or an associate, would then drive the car out of the airport.
The Policia Nacional having worked out what was going on, launched a surveillance operation, having identified the likely suspect.
A breakthrough was made on May 13, when he stole another car, but this time during the day and also after the clients had just taken delivery of their vehicle.
They had already loaded it up with their suitcases ahead of their stay in Valencia, when the man drove away in it- smashing through the parking lot’s security barrier.
With help from Policia Nacional colleagues in Madrid, the car was discovered at the capital’s airport.
The thief parked up there and stole another vehicle. which was owned privately.
He was then tracked down by plain-clothed police officers to the Ciudad Lineal area of the city
The number plates had already been switched and the suspect was behind the wheel when he was arrested.
All of the stolen cars have been recovered.
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