Two men were arrested early Wednesday, 13 May, in Sant Feliu de Llobregat after stealing 150 metres of copper cable from train tracks. This theft caused significant 30-minute delays on the Rodalies R4 line for commuters. Catalan police pursued the suspects in a white van on the B-23 motorway before apprehending them.
The incident began at 03:10 when ADIF, Spain's railway infrastructure manager, alerted Catalan police to an alarm on the tracks. The alarm triggered between Sant Feliu de Llobregat and Molins de Rei, both towns in the Barcelona metropolitan area. Workers from the ADIF control centre reported that someone had taken copper cable from the railway lines. Officers inspected the area and confirmed the theft, starting a search operation to find the culprits.
At 04:00, Catalan police spotted a white van approaching a checkpoint they had established on a nearby road. The driver ignored police signals to stop, instead continuing along the B-23 motorway. Three police patrols then engaged in a chase, which ended when officers successfully stopped the van.
Suspects Arrested After Chase
The two men inside the vehicle resisted arrest and continued to disobey police orders. Officers eventually detained both individuals. Police accuse them of robbery with force. One man, aged 48, has 57 previous police records. The other, aged 44, has five previous records. Both men are Spanish nationals, El Caso reported.
Rodalies R4 Line Disrupted
The theft of the copper cable led to average delays of 30 minutes on the Rodalies R4 line throughout Wednesday, 13 May. This line is a critical commuter route, connecting towns like Sant Feliu de Llobregat, Martorell, and Terrassa to Barcelona. Rodalies informed passengers via social media platform X about the service disruptions.
Trains destined for Terrassa Estació del Nord began and ended their journeys at that station. Additionally, Rodalies implemented a shuttle train service and a complementary road service between Terrassa Estació del Nord and Manresa. Trains travelling to Martorell started and finished their routes at L'Hospitalet de Llobregat. These changes affected thousands of daily commuters in the Barcelona metropolitan area, causing widespread inconvenience.
Impact on Commuters and Infrastructure
The Rodalies R4 line serves a large commuter population, linking many towns in the Llobregat valley and beyond to Barcelona. Incidents like copper theft directly impact residents' daily travel, causing frustration and missed appointments. Railway infrastructure theft remains a persistent issue across Catalonia, often leading to widespread service interruptions and significant repair costs. Such thefts not only disrupt travel but also pose safety risks to both the thieves and railway operations.
The arrested men face charges for robbery with force. This incident highlights the vulnerability of railway infrastructure to theft. It also shows its immediate consequences for public transport services. Police continue to investigate the damage and the costs associated with repairs and service disruptions. Authorities regularly warn about the dangers and penalties associated with stealing railway materials.
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Originally published by El Caso (El Nacional). Read original article.
