National police authorities announced that 28 graffiti artists were detained, with the Madrid Police Headquarters reporting a case that involved vandalism on railway property. The investigation concluded that the acts caused approximately 600,000 euros in damage to train cars in the Community of Madrid and in Guadalajara. The arrests mark a significant development in a broader pattern of tagging and illegal street art that spanned multiple regions.
In several instances, graffiti crews disrupted rail service by triggering emergency braking mechanisms. This dangerous practice not only threatens passenger safety but also inflicts substantial damage on the railway operator and its assets. Authorities emphasized the risk posed to travelers and staff, highlighting that such actions can lead to severe disruptions in transportation schedules and service reliability.
More than 185 graffiti events were linked to the individuals involved, illustrating a sustained effort that crossed provincial lines to demonstrate expertise and social status within the graffiti community. This crackdown followed a prolonged period of complaints and information gathering by law enforcement, which aligned with a phase of normalizing passenger traffic on rail networks after recent interruptions.
Investigators identified the suspected authors and several teenagers who reportedly activated emergency brakes as part of the technique, a method sometimes referred to locally as the “spy” maneuver. The group reportedly used these moments to apply paint to the exteriors of rail cars while the trains were halted, seeking visibility and recognition for their work.
earlier developments
After confirming the identities of the alleged perpetrators, authorities deployed monitoring measures in the latter part of November, culminating in the arrest of 28 individuals. Of these, 26 were detained in the Community of Madrid and two in Guadalajara. The cases involve more than 185 graffiti acts across the national territory, underscoring a concerted effort to gain prestige within the graffiti scene and to showcase the notoriety associated with these reckless actions.
Authorities noted that the detainees were reportedly skilled in using tools designed to access garages or car parks housing trains, such as portable radial equipment or skeleton wrenches. While the acts themselves were non-violent in intent, those caught in the act did not hesitate to confront police officers or private security guards in an attempt to escape and avoid identification.
Given the circumstances, the 28 detainees were presented to the courthouse to face charges related to property damage and public order disruption. The case continues to be monitored as investigators seek to determine the full extent of the impact on railway operations and the safety implications for passengers and workers alike. The authorities stressed the need for deterrence and clarified that these acts, though non-violent in strategy, carry serious legal consequences and pose ongoing risks to public transportation systems, which rely on safety protocols and rapid response capacities to maintain service standards. (Source: National Police)