Three people suspected of being part of a criminal gang targeting luxury Ibiza villas have been arrested by Spanish authorities.
One holiday villa hit by the gang earlier this summer included one rented by presenter Nick Grimshaw, who was left “upset” by the ordeal.
Now, two men and one woman have been arrested by the Guardia Civil over at least 22 robberies at homes on the Spanish island with the total value of stolen items believed to be more than half a million euros.
The radio DJ had rented the luxury villa to celebrate his 40th birthday and was staying with family and friends including his 81-year-old mother Eileen and his fiancé, dancer and model Meshach Henry.
The gang of thieves targeted the villa in the night, while Grimshaw and the other guests slept.
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A source told The Sun, who first reported the story, that his holiday home had been on the target list “simply due to it being known for being used by high-net-worth clients”.
They said the gang would have been unlikely to have known who Grimshaw was, and it was “a case of the wrong place at the wrong time,” adding, “but it’s scary to say the least”.
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They said: “Nick was obviously upset but thought best to keep things off social media.”
Nobody was hurt during the robbery and Grimshaw is now back in the UK.
He posted a selection of holiday photos and short videos on his Instagram account on Sunday, writing: “Eww how is it September already? Some shots to celebrate summer”.
The gang of thieves are understood to have entered the homes while the occupants were asleep, always wearing black and covering their faces, according to the Guardia Civil.
The Spanish police added that many of the victims had reported drowsiness when they woke up, which the authorities believe may have been from a type of gas being used to cause sleepiness.
The authorities said a property had been searched this week as part of the investigation into the string of robberies, and expensive items including watches, branded bags, jewellery and sunglasses were found at the house.
A well-known face and voice in the UK, Grimshaw hosted a variety of shows across BBC Radio 1, including the flagship breakfast show, before leaving the network after 14 years in 2021.
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In 2015 he was a judge on The X Factor but stayed on the ITV talent show for just one year.
Grimshaw now co-hosts the Sidetracked podcast alongside DJ Annie MacManus and appears on Celebrity Gogglebox alongside his niece Liv, who works in fashion.
Sky News has contacted Grimshaw for further comment.
