Novelda Local Police detained a 23-year-old man after a string of reckless driving incidents that left several neighbors alarmed and multiple vehicles damaged. The rapid response involved three patrol units that arrived promptly to the area after receiving warnings about dangerous driving patterns and a collision with three stationary cars on the road, causing property damage.
Following a pursuit through the urban sector, officers managed to stop the vehicle and placed the driver in custody. A breathalyzer test indicated a reading at the maximum permissible limit for impairment at the time of arrest.
Inside the vehicle were four minors who were subsequently released into the care of their fathers after appropriate safety checks and procedural formalities were completed.
The events began around seven in the morning on Saturday. On Sunday night, several Novelda Local Police units also joined forces with firefighters from the Vinalopó Operational Area to extinguish a fire in the vicinity.
The incident is marked by the fire’s location near the field outside a marble company close to the closed Novelda Emergency Coordination Center. Pallets and nearby trees sustained fire damage.
Elda Fire Station crews responded decisively with two fire engines, preventing the flames from reaching nearby structures.
The investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing.
The incident echoes a prior case from August 2019, when the Novelda Local Police detained a 36-year-old Spanish national for reckless driving along the La Mola Castle access road. It occurred on the night of August 31 after several calls reported a high-speed vehicle with dangerous maneuvers endangering other road users.
A patrol stopped the vehicle at a location known as Walk of the Mills following an area search.
The driver faced additional complications, with an escort and legal actions after a breathalyzer test confirmed alcohol impairment. The driver was taken into custody, with later consequences handled in court. In that case, the driver’s companion faced responsibility for a minor involved in the incident.
One month later, in September 2019, a drug-impaired driver caused fear in the population with reckless driving and at times extreme speeds through several streets near a local school. The situation placed bystanders at risk as the driver maneuvered around a workplace terrace filled with people.
Three police units and a Civil Guard team conducted a thorough search for the suspect. The concerted effort and the courage of local citizens helped intercept the vehicle, bringing it to a controlled stop.
A 44-year-old resident with a Spanish background, living near Novelda, tested positive for cannabis and cocaine during a police check. He was turned over for court proceedings and the vehicle was placed under municipal custody for safety purposes.