The Orihuela Local Police have thwarted the theft of 350 kilos of lemons in La Matanza thanks to citizen collaboration and the rapid intervention of night patrols.
The owner of a property alerted the authorities in the early hours of the morning that several people had entered his orchard after getting out of a suspicious vehicle. Officers quickly deployed to the area and stopped the car involved near the CV-868.
Inside the vehicle, officers found 12 large baskets containing approximately 350 kilos of citrus fruit, as well as cutting tools, gloves, flashlights and walkie-talkies.
Minutes later, patrols located a van travelling at high speed and two other suspicious passengers at a nearby petrol station.
In total, four people were identified in connection with the events for further investigation. Additionally, all the fruit was seized and returned to its rightful owner the following day.
The police remind everyone of the importance of reporting any suspicious activity in agricultural areas to 112 or 965 30 02 04.
