Officials from the Civil Guard announced the arrest of a couple linked to a copper theft network that disrupted phone service for residents in the towns of Lupiñén and Agüero. The incident occurred in the province of Huesca after thieves removed roughly 32 tons of copper from the power lines supplying electricity to both communities.
The arrests are part of the Cobrekai operation, a campaign launched in November 2022 in response to complaints filed last March about similar thefts in Castejón de Valdejasa (Zaragoza) and Ayerbe (Huesca). Investigators also noted reports of communication interruptions affecting both towns, which helped connect the cases under a single investigation.
Following extensive surveillance, the suspects—a 36-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman who reside in Zaragoza—were tracked to a roadside area in a location associated with the recent copper thefts and the nearby electrical infrastructure. Law enforcement officers observed a vehicle associated with a mobile phone rental service that carried subcontractor markings and the initials of the company, arousing suspicion.
A short time later, officers encountered a person dressed in the uniforms typically worn by the operator of that subcontractor, claiming employment with the company. This individual appeared to be actively participating in the staged activities linked to the alleged network.
The investigation also uncovered a buried saw used to sever the cable, a detail confirmed by authorities on site. The discovery illustrated a deliberate, prepared approach to the theft, extending beyond a single act to a planned operation. The scene suggested a broader scheme aimed at exploiting vulnerable electrical infrastructure for profit.
In the course of the searches, agents located a bag containing protective gear, electronics, electrical equipment, and documents that belonged to a woman introduced by the fake operator as her cousin. These items provided crucial corroboration of the organized nature of the outfit involved in the thefts.
32 tons of copper: 119.000 Euros
When the subcontractor company was contacted, responsible personnel reported that at the time of the incident none of its workers were operating in the area, nor were they repairing or disconnecting the electrical cable. The response reinforced the theory that the theft was carried out by an organized team using the company’s cover to blend in with legitimate activities.
In addition to the hidden copper wire, investigators found a ladder, a saw, and other equipment consistent with metal cutting operations. These tools pointed to the deliberate nature of the crime, rather than a random act of vandalism.
With the assembled evidence, authorities proceeded to arrest the male suspect first and subsequently detained the woman who had been waiting in the town square of Concilio. The case progressed as officers built a comprehensive timeline of the events, from the theft to the concealment and eventual removal of the copper from the site.
The total copper stolen amounted to 8,900 meters, roughly 32 tons, with an estimated value of about 119,000 euros. This figure excludes the damage to the facilities and the costs associated with restoring the affected electrical infrastructure.
The robbers employed a vehicle that had been tagged to resemble a legitimate subcontractor of a well-known telecommunications company. They dressed in uniforms and even posed as workers, creating a convincing illusion to disconnect service lines and facilitate the theft. After removing the copper, the culprits reportedly stripped and burned non-copper materials in a nearby area, leaving behind the valuable metal and contributing to environmental concerns resulting from the operation.