Civil Guard officers have detained two Spanish nationals who were caught in the act while removing sun glazing materials from the roof of an industrial warehouse in Sax, Alicante. The report from the Alicante Command confirms the exchange of hands for the suspects, who now face multiple charges related to forced theft. They were taken into custody and later transferred to the Villena Guard and Order Court, which ordered their provisional release on injunctive measures.
The incident was first brought to authorities on June 1, when a company director, active in the procurement, processing, and sale of renewable energy equipment, reported a theft involving roughly 400 meters of copper and several photovoltaic panels from the Sax facility. The assessed value of the affected site is around 50,000 euros, highlighting the significant impact on the local renewable energy infrastructure. [Attribution: Civil Guard press release]
In response, the Ibi Civil Guard Roca Team opened the Placax operation, aiming to illuminate the series of thefts and to identify the individuals responsible. The investigative unit meticulously reviewed all documents provided by the complainant and then initiated a targeted visual inspection of the ship from which the stolen materials originated. This careful approach underscored the commitment to evidence-based action in protecting critical energy assets. [Attribution: Civil Guard press release]
Following the inspection, investigators concluded that the perpetrators were likely to return to the vessel to complete the removal of remaining solar panels and copper still in place. Based on these observations, officers from Sax Post joined forces with the investigative team to monitor the area surrounding the ship, coordinating a surveillance operation designed to catch the culprits in the act. [Attribution: Civil Guard press release]
The breakthrough occurred the following morning when the suspects, two Hispanic men aged 28 and 33, were observed ascending the ship’s roof at a height exceeding eight meters. They had already smashed several photovoltaic panels, disposing of the fragments from the dismantled sections into a nearby area. A small truck had been prepared nearby to facilitate transportation of the stolen goods. The scene was rapidly secured and the suspects were confronted by officers who were waiting at strategic points around the ship. [Attribution: Civil Guard press release]
Both men, identified and questioned at the scene, were formally arrested on charges of two counts of robbery by force. The operation demonstrated a coordinated response across multiple units and highlighted the Civil Guard’s ongoing vigilance against energy-related thefts that threaten industrial and renewable energy infrastructure. The detainees were subsequently handed over to the Villena Guard and Instruction Court, which ordered their precautionary release. [Attribution: Civil Guard press release]
Both suspects come from Alicante and have prior records for similar offenses. The ongoing Placax operation, part of the broader National Plan against copper theft, remains a focal point of law enforcement efforts to deter property crimes that target critical energy assets. Authorities emphasize that any new information will be pursued to prevent repeat incidents and protect the stability of renewable energy supply chains within the region. [Attribution: Civil Guard press release]