MADRID (AP) — In a bizarre yet significant operation, Spanish authorities have dismantled a criminal network specializing in the theft of outdoor seating from restaurants and bars. The National Police announced on Wednesday the arrest of seven individuals accused of stealing over 1,100 chairs in just two months. The suspects, comprising six men and one woman, targeted 18 establishments in Madrid and Talavera de la Reina, a smaller city southwest of the capital, during August and September. The stolen chairs, primarily made of metal or hard plastic, were resold both domestically and internationally, including in Morocco and Romania. The total estimated value of the stolen property is approximately €60,000 ($69,000). In Spain, it is common for restaurants and bars to leave outdoor furniture, often chained together, unattended overnight. The suspects now face charges of theft and involvement in a criminal organization.
This seat taken? Thieves busted for stealing over 1,000 restaurant chairs in Spain
