A GANG of ex-military men co-ordinated by a shadowy ringleader could be behind celebrity house raids in Spain.
EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa woke to find two masked raiders shining torches in rooms in the early hours of Sunday at her family’s Marbella holiday home.
They fled with valuables, including the 31-year-old mum’s engagement diamond ring, a gift from hubby of seven years Dan Osborne.
Electrical goods and designer clothes were also taken, with cash lifted from one of the children’s backpacks.
Spanish police are probing the raid at the family’s rented villa in the popular resort.
It comes after other holidaying celebs were targeted this summer, including DJ Nick Grimshaw, whose Ibiza rent villa was ransacked as he slept.
Former Scotland Yard detective Peter Bleksley told The Sun: “There will undoubtedly be an element of organised crime behind this.”
He said they have also possibly studied photographs Jossa has posted online to “give some clue” as to where she is staying.
“Criminals these days scour the Internet,” Mr Bleksley continued.
“They have people who are very skilled in researching open source material to identify a villa, a hotel, or somewhere else, that somebody might be staying.”
He said even just taking a “joyous family photograph” in the garden or lounge of a holiday villa or apartment, for example, can be jumped on quickly by those in the underworld.
“Criminals can identify where that is from a very, very small piece of background, from something as innocent as a tree, or a glimpse of the swimming pool, or something like tiling and grouting in in a lounge or a bathroom, because, of course, these properties will have been advertised on the Internet,” Mr Bleksley explained.
“They can compare the photographs with thousands of properties, millions of properties in the blink of an eye, and identify where somebody might be staying.”
The ex-cop went on to say: “These unscrupulous, vile criminals have no shame.
“The old expression, honour amongst thieves doesn’t actually exist. It’s a fallacy. They are unscrupulous. They steal for a living.”
Mr Bleksley said such people would have “no qualms” about pinching something from a child’s backpack “or sometimes committing even worse acts”.
Referring to the break in at Jacqueline’s villa, he added: “Burglary is a truly ghastly crime, no more so than when you catch the culprits in the act.
“A horrifying thing to wake up, be disturbed from your sleep by having thieves in your property, whether that be at home, or, of course, in this case, whilst you’re away on holiday.
“That 2 weeks of the year that you cherish, and have worked so hard for to have it besmirched and ruined in this way is utterly appalling.”
He continued: “It’s a truly terrifying experience, and all credit to Jacqueline for staying calm. And unfortunately, of course, the burglars fled.”
Jacqueline, who plays Lauren Branning in the BBC1 soap, and reality star Dan have been in Spain for a fortnight with their extended families and daughters, Ella, nine, Mia, five, plus Dan’s ten-year-old son, Teddy.
The family have been photographed on the beach, playing in the water with their children, and Jaqueline has shared photographs of their break on social media.
Mr Bleksley said he would urge anyone going on holiday “please don’t” post holiday snaps of where their staying.
Not only will it give an idea as to where someone is staying but also make clear that their home back in the UK is unguarded.
“You might return from a holiday to find that that had been targeted,” he said.
Jacqueline and Dan are the latest stars to be targeted on holiday this year — with Spanish police claiming a gang of ex-military men are behind many raids.
April
I’m A Celeb’s Snoochie Shy was mugged for her handbag in Ibiza.
The Radio 1 Xtra star shared a video from the police station and revealed her ordeal after her bag was snatched.
She appeared to have been crying, with make-up smudges around her eyes.
The star looked glum and waved an ironic thumbs up to the camera.
Snoochie told fans: “Not me in the police station because someone stole my bag with all my s*** in it.”
June
Argentina tennis star Federico Coria had valuables, including his rackets, laptop and engagement ring taken from him in Barcelona.
Taking to TikTok, the 32-year-old said how he and his girlfriend were targeted in a car park at the airport.
He added: “We’d come from Paris which we know is dangerous and where you have to have your wits about you, but in an airport with so many cameras I would never have imagined this sort of thing was so common in Barcelona.”
Sampdoria footballer Cristiano Piccini, meanwhile, had his luxury watch stolen by motorbike muggers in Ibiza.
The thugs tried to run him and his wife over in front of their children in a terrifying broad daylight attack.
Piccini was targeted in upmarket Marina Botafoch in Ibiza Town near a well-known hotel.
August
DJ Nick Grimshaw had his villa ransacked as he, his mum and guests slept.
The star had rented the Ibiza pad for his 40th birthday and was said to be shocked and upset by the raid.
“Please, please, no photographs until you get back home.”
It comes after cops, earlier this year, busted a gang of ex-military men from Eastern Europe who allegedly robbed luxury properties in Marbella.
In January, six men were arrested, including the alleged ringleader from Albania.
A stash of jewellery, watches, cash and weapons was found.
Investigators said the suspects were “highly skilled” in robberies and break-ins.
The alleged ringleader is believed to have taken part in all the robberies, always carrying a firearm.
Cops described him as an expert in “boarding [vessels] and counter-surveillance”.
The gang is alleged to have carried out 71 raids from homes and businesses in southern Spanish province, reports the BBC.
Referring to such gangs, Mr Bleksley said: “There are British gangs operating in Spain, and criminal gangs from almost around the world.”
As well as targeting premises, he said they will pickpocket and snatch handbags.
“These people go where they know people are on holiday, where they might let their guard down, and where opportunities for them to steal would exist,” he explained.
“It’s very unfortunate to have to say this, even when you go on holiday – have your wits around you.
“Do not become a victim. Do not create opportunities for thieves if you can possibly help it.”
