Three arrested over cable thefts that affected street lighting and internet in Fines and Olula del Río

The Guardia Civil (Spain’s Civil Guard) has arrested three people and is investigating three others as the alleged perpetrators of the thefts of copper cabling that affected the street lighting and the internet network in Fines and Olula del Río. They are alleged to have committed two offences of theft with force against property and one of simple theft, the force reported this Wednesday.

The investigation began following complaints filed by the town councils of Fines and Olula del Río and by a company that provides a wifi network service. According to the Guardia Civil, the stolen cable was part of both the street lighting network and the fibre-optic infrastructure that provides internet access. The cuts also temporarily put the security camera system installed in both towns out of service.

Officers managed to establish how the alleged perpetrators operated: they accessed the electrical boxes of street lamps and the inspection chambers of the installations to cut and take away the cable, which interrupted the electricity supply and telecommunications. The inquiries made it possible to identify people living in the Almanzora district who were familiar with the area.

The value of the stolen material and of the damage caused comes to approximately €13,000, according to Guardia Civil estimates. Those arrested have been placed at the disposal of Court No. 1 of the Civil and Investigating Section of the Purchena Court of First Instance.

For residents, the thefts affected three everyday services at once: street lighting, fibre-optic internet connections and the security cameras installed in both towns, which were temporarily out of action. The information released by the Guardia Civil does not specify on what dates the thefts were committed or how much cable was stolen.