Police arrests in Albacete and Granada for theft and illegal resource extraction

Authorities in Spain have arrested two individuals in separate incidents involving theft and illegal resource use.

In Albacete, a 47-year-old man was detained after being caught by local police stealing copper cable from public street lighting manholes. The theft left the area around Constantino Romero and Los Toreros avenues without illumination. The suspect, who tested positive for alcohol consumption, was intercepted while attempting to flee in a van containing the stolen material. He faces charges for crimes against property.

In Granada, a 53-year-old man was arrested in Cogollos Vega for allegedly extracting groundwater illegally for 19 years. Using an unauthorized well and a submersible pump, the individual reportedly irrigated over 4,500 olive trees. Investigations revealed that the electrical meter had been manipulated to avoid energy costs and that a network of underground pipes had been installed through public land without permits. The suspect faces charges related to crimes against natural resources, the environment, and territorial planning, as well as electricity fraud.