The investigation began after several complaints were filed between March 18 and 24, reporting the disappearance of cabling from both the AVE tracks near Almodóvar del Río and from local nurseries. These incidents prompted an immediate response from the Guardia Civil's ROCA team.
After analyzing the temporal and geographical proximity of the incidents, as well as the similar modus operandi, agents identified a primary suspect. Given the nature of these crimes, which compromise critical infrastructure and collective safety, a surveillance operation was implemented to prevent further thefts and locate the alleged perpetrator.
The nature of these crimes affects critical infrastructure and the collective safety of people.
During one of these operations, the ROCA team received an alert from the COS about a robbery at a nearby residence. Upon arriving at the scene, they confirmed the alert's veracity and identified two men with prior records for similar offenses, one of whom matched the suspect in the high-speed cable thefts.
Ultimately, the Guardia Civil located this individual as he was attempting to steal high-speed cabling again from the same previously affected railway section, leading to his arrest. Days later, the second person identified as an alleged perpetrator of the house robbery was also apprehended.
These actions have led to the clarification of a total of six theft offenses, along with others related to damages and the security of critical infrastructure. Part of the stolen material has been recovered, significantly contributing to railway traffic safety. The detainees and the proceedings have been handed over to the competent Judicial Authority, and the investigation remains open to fully clarify the facts and determine the possible involvement of other individuals.
