The police operation represents a significant blow against copper theft in the area, with four arrests made and up to nine potential perpetrators identified. The investigation remains open, and further arrests are not ruled out.
The arrested individuals, three of whom have numerous prior police records, are linked to copper thefts that occurred between July 11 and July 29. These criminal acts have affected about twenty streets in the Northern district, particularly in the San Francisco neighborhood and the area around the Fairgrounds, causing severe damage to the public lighting network.
The value of the stolen material, combined with the damage caused to extract the wiring, brings the economic loss to approximately 50,000 euros. In response to the escalating thefts, the National Police established a specific operation to prevent further incidents and identify those responsible.
The investigation has led to the identification of nine individuals linked to this criminal activity and the locating of three vehicles allegedly used to transport the stolen copper. The arrests occurred under various circumstances: one man was caught cutting public lighting cables, another was found inside an inspection chamber extracting wiring, a third was discovered removing copper pipes from a sports facility, and the fourth, a 19-year-old, was arrested after stolen copper and marijuana were found in his home.
The National Police are maintaining an active operation and continue to work towards clarifying all thefts recorded recently, considering the possibility of further arrests as the investigation progresses. The detainees have been handed over to judicial authority.
