Costa Bandit

We have just returned from Spain, where we were robbed on the autopista near Valencia. We parked at the services and went for a coffee, and someone presumably stuck a nail in the back tyre during our absence. When we stopped on the Autopista to mend the ensuing puncture, a car pulled up some distance ahead. They waited until we were fully occupied with the rear wheel before one of them crept up and quietly opened the passenger door to steal everything within reach. It has apparently become a common and dangerous scam.

Asked on 10 September 2011 by MS, via email

Answered by Honest John
There have been reports of this for at least 30 years and the Valencia area was notorious for it. Time to warn people again. We used to have an apartment in Denia. But made a point of never leaving a car unattended at autopista services.
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