The investigation began in late October 2025, after a neighborhood community in the Carrús district of Elche reported the theft of approximately 50 meters of gas pipe. Shortly thereafter, a second report was filed for a similar theft in a nearby building, where the removal of seven meters of pipe caused a gas leak that required the intervention of the Elche Fire Department.
These incidents alerted authorities to the imminent danger to the physical integrity of residents and passersby, as each theft carried a risk of explosion or deflagration. In the following weeks, more reports of gas pipe thefts accumulated, affecting both private buildings and public installations, totaling eight building installations and fifteen public street installations.
Finally, officers identified the alleged perpetrator, a 41-year-old man who sold the stolen material to metal recovery and recycling companies. At the time of his location, several pipes that had been stolen were found in his possession. The paint on the recovered pipes matched that of the facades or terraces from which they had been stolen, confirming their origin.
The perpetrators obtain a minuscule profit compared to the substantial damages they cause to those affected.
The investigation revealed that the detainee obtained approximately 1,500 euros from the sale of all the copper pipes. However, the material damages caused solely to public street installations exceed 33,000 euros. Furthermore, the mobilization of public services such as the Fire Department and Police to address the emergencies generated by the thefts significantly increased the total harm. Following police procedures, the detainee has been placed at the disposal of the Duty Investigating Court of Elche.
