Man arrested in Sant Vicent del Raspeig over suspected building site thefts

The Guardia Civil has arrested a 39-year-old man accused of committing three robberies with force and another attempted robbery at building sites in Sant Vicent del Raspeig, Alicante, according to a statement from the armed forces.

The investigation unit in the municipality took charge of the enquiries after officers received reports of multiple thefts. Specifically, two incidents took place at building sites belonging to the same company and located on the same street.

Officers established that these incidents shared similar characteristics with other recent thefts at nearby building sites, suggesting they were carried out by the same person. Following various enquiries, they located security camera footage that supported this suspicion.

Investigators found that the suspect allegedly gained access to the building sites and remained inside for a period, selecting tools and other valuable materials that could be easily transported. On some occasions, he reportedly gathered the items near the site entrance to return later with a vehicle and collect them quickly.

After analysing the recordings and conducting other investigative procedures, officers gathered sufficient information and set up surveillance operations in areas near the building sites.

As a result of the operation, officers located a vehicle in Alicante matching the description of the one seen in the footage. Inside was a man whose build and physical traits closely matched the individual appearing in the security recordings.

Following his identification and an inspection of the vehicle, officers found a backpack containing tools allegedly used to commit the thefts.

The 39-year-old man has been arrested as the suspected perpetrator of four offences related to building site thefts, consisting of three completed crimes and one attempt. The detained individual and the case files have been handed over to the Investigation Section of the Court of First Instance of Alicante.