Two individuals, aged 39 and 33, were reportedly detained as part of a coordinated operation. The incident involved the vandalism of 80 niches in Cehegín’s cemetery in Murcia, with the goal of stealing the ornaments that adorned the graves. The suspects, who are residents of the district and have prior records, are accused of removing metal items valued at around 50,000 euros. They are currently free while accusations are processed. Authorities believe the metal was intended for sale to generate cash.
The Civil Guard stated in a press release on Tuesday that the arrests occurred under the Catacumba operation, which began last month after several Cehegín residents were taken into custody. The operation followed reports of damage to family graves and theft within the local cemetery.
Items seized during the Benemérita Catacumba operation in Cehegín were documented by the Guardia Civil. These actions drew public concern as it emerged that at least 80 graves had been affected. Investigators noted the absence of metal vases, crosses, and other religious figures crafted from copper, bronze, and brass.
The release describes a wave of vandalism that alarmed the community.
One night of vandalism
Early inquiries indicate that all affected niches were destroyed in a single night, on a Saturday. The following day, relatives visiting the cemetery discovered the broken gravestones, signaling the extent of the damage.
In the course of technical assessments at the crime scene and the collection of precise information about the stolen items, investigators examined metal recycling facilities. The Guardia Civil notes that within days, authorities checked metal trade locations, junkyards, and scrap facilities. Through these checks, several recovered components were traced to municipalities including Caravaca de la Cruz, Alcantarilla, and Cehegín, among others (citation: Guardia Civil).
The investigation identified two suspects, both Spaniards, with prior records for property crimes and drug trafficking. They were brought before the Caravaca de la Cruz Guardia Court and released on charges after initial proceedings (citation: Guardia Civil).
The inquiry remains active with the aim of locating all missing elements and restoring them to their rightful gravesites. The overarching goal is to secure a complete reconstruction of the vandalized memorials and ensure those harmed by the incident receive proper restitution (citation: Guardia Civil).