Law enforcement agents in Elda have reported the arrest of two individuals, a man and a woman, both of Spanish nationality, aged 45 and 48 respectively, in connection with a house burglary and the theft of antique collectibles, including a bust resembling the master Don Quixote of La Mancha. The arrest followed a joint operation by the Judicial Police and the National Police at the Elda station. This sequence of events began after a break-in was discovered at a private residence, setting off a swift investigative response that aimed to recover the stolen items and identify the culprits.
Initial facts indicate that on January 8 the homeowners notified the National Police that several items from their antique collection were missing. The assailants reportedly forced entry by breaking a window and then exited through the front door with a number of valuables, including historical pieces and other collectibles.
Investigators promptly mobilized to gather evidence, track down leads, and establish a clear timeline. A pivotal development occurred when one of the victims located a wall-mounted tool used in the break-in, which had recently surfaced in the market for secondhand goods in the Elda area. Forensic Police teams conducted targeted checks, recovered the instrument, and returned it to the rightful owner, while guiding the investigation toward identifying the suspects responsible for the theft.
Concurrently, authorities scrutinized existing secondhand jewelry and item transactions and checked licensed processing centers and scrap yards for related activity. Among the recovered artifacts was a bronze bust measuring about 70 centimeters in height, consistent with the Don Quixote bust described by the victims as stolen. This critical lead connected the recovered piece to the burglary case under investigation, assisting officers in tracing the sale and distribution path back to the alleged offenders.
With the recovered bust and ongoing inquiries, investigators proceeded to locate and apprehend the individuals who sold or moved the artwork in the days surrounding the crime. Simultaneously, the search targeted the alleged perpetrators of the home burglary, culminating in their arrest and the seizure of additional items linked to the incident.
Other stolen objects, including vintage collectibles such as vases, plates, figures, candlesticks, bronze cups, and several paintings, were noted during the inquiry. While not all of these items have been recovered yet, the Elda National Police have continued their efforts to locate them and secure their return to the owner. The ongoing investigation reflects a comprehensive approach to tracing and recovering stolen property across multiple channels.
According to the authorities, the Court of Inquiry in Elda is overseeing the case as part of the judicial process, ensuring that all actions align with current legal procedures and the rights of those affected by the crime. The case remains active as investigators pursue additional avenues to locate missing items and bring the responsible parties to justice.