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Two Arrested in Valencia Copper Thefts That Delayed 165 Trains

Police say the pair burned insulation in manhole 'ovens' to prepare stolen signaling wire for sale.

Overview

  • The suspects, a 21-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman, were detained in Valencia and presented to judicial authorities on allegations of robbery with force.
  • Investigators linked the pair to a forced entry on the Valencia‑La Font de Sant Lluís–Valencia‑Cabanyal stretch that left signals dark and switches inoperative.
  • Officers recovered 76 kilograms of copper along with the van allegedly used to transport the stolen cable.
  • The case began on October 6 after patrols inspected a van containing large amounts of burnt cable and traced improvised burning sites in nearby manholes.
  • ADIF services recorded more than 86 hours of cumulative delays across Cercanías, Medium and Long‑Distance trains, with damage estimated at about €33,000.