Shock haul: Spanish police have smashed a criminal gang accused of stealing nearly 3,000 kilograms of copper across multiple towns in Alicante and Albacete, causing losses of over €50,000.
The Guardia Civil and local police caught two suspects red-handed trying to sell copper just hours after stealing it. Three people have now been arrested, and a fourth is under investigation, along with the owner of a recycling center allegedly buying the stolen copper for €15,000 profit.
The heist spree: The gang reportedly targeted towns including Pinoso, Onil, Salinas, San Vicente del Raspeig, Albatana, Caudete, Fuente Álamo, and Ontur. Their method was bold and systematic: strike at dawn, strip the stolen cables of plastic coating, and sell the raw copper to scrap dealers.
The crackdown began after a September theft of 700 meters of copper cable in Pinoso. Surveillance operations led to the arrest of two suspects on November 7 while trying to sell 120 kg of stolen copper in Salinas. Documents seized linked the gang to hundreds of kilos of prior thefts.
The suspects: Two men, aged 36 and 41, and a 38-year-old woman are in custody. A 26-year-old man is under investigation, along with the recycling center owner. Charges include 11 counts of theft, receiving stolen goods, document falsification, and traffic offenses. All have been released on bail.
The operation highlights the successful coordination of Guardia Civil ROCA teams in Ibi, Almansa, and Hellín, working with local police in Onil and Elda.
