Trained ex-military and shady leader ‘behind celebrity holiday home raids’ after Jac Jossa’s £20k Marbella hell

A gang of ex-military men, led by a shady leader, could be behind raids on celebrities in Spain.

EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa woke up on Sunday morning to find two masked assailants shining torches into the rooms of her family’s Marbella holiday home.

Jacqueline Jossa and her family were shocked by the burglarySource: nstagram/@jacjossa

According to police, gangs of former military thieves are active in MarbellaCredit: Alamy

Jewelry, watches, cash and weapons were found during raidsCredit: Twitter/Policía Nacional

Nick Grimshaw was spotted at Ibiza airport as he left the island after a traumatic robberyCredit: BackGrid

They made off with valuables, including the 31-year-old mother’s diamond engagement ring, a gift from her husband of seven years, Dan Osborne.

Electrical appliances and branded clothing were also taken. Money was stolen from the backpacks of one of the children.

Spanish police are investigating the raid on the family’s rented villa in the popular holiday resort.

It comes after other celebrities on holiday this summer were also targeted, including DJ Nick Grimshaw, whose Ibiza villa was looted while he slept.

Peter Bleksley, a former Scotland Yard detective, told The Sun: “There is undoubtedly an element of organised crime behind this.”

He said they may also have examined photos Jossa posted online to “get a clue” about where she is staying.

“Criminals are scouring the Internet these days,” Bleksley continues.

“They have people who are very good at researching open source material to identify a villa, a hotel or some other place where someone might be staying.”

He said that even taking a “happy family photo” in the garden or living room of a holiday home or apartment, for example, could quickly be undertaken by people in the underworld.

“Criminals can recognise where something is from a tiny bit of background, from something as innocuous as a tree, or a glimpse of the swimming pool, or something like tiles and grout in a living room or bathroom, because of course these properties have been advertised on the internet,” Mr Bleksley explains.

“They can compare the photos to thousands, millions of properties in the blink of an eye and determine where someone might be staying.”

EastEnders star Jacqueline Jossa in gruesome Spanish holiday robbery as masked robbers steal engagement ring and £20,000 worth of assets

The former officer continued: “These unscrupulous, despicable criminals know no shame.

“The old expression, honor among thieves, doesn’t really exist. It’s a fallacy. They’re unscrupulous. They steal for a living.”

According to Mr Bleksley, such people would have “no scruples” about stealing something from a child’s backpack “or sometimes doing even worse things”.

Referring to the burglary at Jacqueline’s villa, he added: “Burglary is a truly horrific crime, especially when you catch the perpetrators red-handed.

“It’s horrible to wake up and be disturbed from your sleep by thieves in your home, whether that’s at home or, in this case, while you’re on vacation.

“Those two weeks of the year that you cherish and that you have worked so hard for, and that are now being sullied and ruined in this way, are simply horrible.”

He continued: “It really is a 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 two weeks with their extended families and daughters Ella, nine, Mia, five, and Dan’s 10-year-old son Teddy.

Photos of the family were taken on the beach, where they play in the water with their children. Jaqueline shared photos of their vacation on social media.

Mr Bleksley said he would urge anyone going on holiday ‘not’ to post holiday photos of the place they are staying.

Not only does it provide insight into where someone is staying, it also makes it clear that their home in the UK is unattended.

“You might come back from vacation and find out it was a target,” he said.

Dozens of celebrities targeted this summer

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 of the 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 told of her ordeal after her bag was stolen.

It looked like she had been crying and there were makeup stains around her eyes.

The star looked somber and gave the camera an ironic thumbs-up.

Snoochie told fans: “I’m not at the police station because someone stole my bag with all my s*** in it.”

June

Argentine tennis star Federico Coria was robbed of valuables including his rackets, laptop and engagement ring in Barcelona.

The 32-year-old recounts on TikTok how he and his girlfriend were targeted in attacks at an airport parking lot.

He added: “We come from Paris, where we know it’s dangerous and where you have to be very careful. But at an airport with so many cameras, I never thought that this kind of thing would be so common in Barcelona.”

Meanwhile, Sampdoria footballer Cristiano Piccini’s luxury watch was stolen by motorbike thieves in Ibiza.

The criminals tried to run him and his wife over in front of their children. It was a terrifying attack, in the middle of the day.

Piccini was shot in the upmarket Marina Botafoch district of Ibiza Town, near a well-known hotel.

August

DJ Nick Grimshaw’s villa was ransacked while he, his mother and guests slept.

The star had rented the Ibiza home for his 40th birthday and was reportedly shocked and upset by the raid.

“Please, please, no pictures until you get home.”

It comes after police earlier this year caught a gang of ex-military men from Eastern Europe who have reportedly robbed luxury properties in Marbella.

In January, six men were arrested, including the alleged leader from Albania.

A pile of jewelry, watches, money and weapons were found.

According to investigators, the suspects were “highly skilled” in committing robberies and burglaries.

It is believed that the alleged ringleader was involved in all the robberies and always carried a firearm.

Police described him as an expert in ‘boarding (of ships) and counter-surveillance’.

According to the BBC, the gang is said to have carried out 71 raids on homes and businesses in the southern Spanish province.

Referring to such gangs, Mr Bleksley said: “There are British gangs operating in Spain, and criminal gangs from almost all over the world.”

He said they are not only targeting properties but also pickpocketing and stealing handbags.

“These people go to places where they know people are on vacation, where they might let their guard down and have the opportunity to steal,” he explains.

“It’s very sad to have to say this, but even when you’re on holiday, make sure you keep your wits about you.

“Don’t be a victim. Don’t create opportunities for thieves if you can help it.”