Some clients of mine have just returned from south of Barcelona.They were driving along the AP7 between the airport and the tunnels when a BMW pulled along side with a man,woman and teenage son in it,all very nice so far....they pointed to the back of the car (nice one with UK plates) my customers were driving and waited until they pulled over.The man claimed to be Italian and went around the back of the car with the driver,whilst this was going on attention was diverted by all to the back of the car and the lad jumped out of the BMW and grabbed the lady's bag,fortunatly a Spanish couple saw what was going on and called the Police and waited with them.
I have also heard of thieves stabbing victims tyres with hypodermic needles at service stations and following them until the tyre ran flat,also heard of tyres being shot at with high power air pistols,even dodgy unmarked police cars.
Moral of the story,keep your eyes open and your wits about you.