Police in Figueres have detained two men linked to the theft of 3,400 meters of copper cable. The incident left several neighborhoods without street lighting and triggered costly repairs for the city.
Street lighting in eastern Figueres has been severely disrupted after the theft of 3,400 meters of copper cable, prompting the Guardia Urbana to arrest two suspects in recent days. The large-scale theft, which targeted lamp posts and underground cable ducts across nine areas, has left residents facing weeks of darkness and the city council with a repair bill exceeding €48,000.
According to local authorities, the incidents occurred in neighborhoods near Marca de l’Ham, affecting streets such as Gorgs, Polígono Clos de Ferias, Vía Láctea, Cangrejo, Alemania, Francia, Paseo del Camino de Vilatenim, Caputxins, and the Llançà-Port road. The thieves accessed electrical infrastructure by opening manholes and underground channels, causing power outages and damaging both cables and auxiliary equipment.
Police efforts intensified after repeated outages were reported. In two separate incidents, officers detained a 23-year-old Moroccan national, already known to police with five prior records. The first arrest came when he was caught carrying a sack filled with electrical cable and a knife. Days later, he was apprehended again while tampering with a public lighting manhole on Camí Vell de Vilatenim. In a separate case, a 33-year-old Moroccan man with 24 previous offenses was arrested after fleeing the municipal warehouse “Can Sagrera” with a 40-meter cable reel.
Municipal services have begun the complex process of restoring lighting, which involves removing damaged cables, installing new wiring, replacing connectors, and inspecting electrical panels. City officials estimate it will take up to three weeks to fully restore street lighting in the affected areas. The disruption has caused significant inconvenience for residents, with some streets remaining unlit at night and increased concerns about safety.
Incidents involving theft of public infrastructure have become a growing concern in several Spanish cities. In a related context, a recent case in Lleida saw multiple arrests after a confrontation between shopkeepers and suspected thieves, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by local authorities in tackling property crime.
Figueres City Council and the municipal services company FISERSA are coordinating efforts to expedite repairs and minimize disruption. The financial impact of such thefts extends beyond immediate repair costs, as they also strain municipal budgets and divert resources from other essential services. Copper theft remains a persistent issue across Spain, driven by high market prices for scrap metal and the relative ease of accessing public infrastructure. Authorities continue to urge vigilance and cooperation from residents to help prevent further incidents.
