A former prison social worker has been arrested by the Mossos d’Esquadra in connection with a series of high-value thefts from construction sites, where tools and machinery were later sold on popular resale websites.
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The 49-year-old Spanish national is accused of carrying out forced entry robberies in the town of Caldes de Montbui, Barcelona, between late February and early March of this year. Investigators allege she stole equipment worth an estimated €13,500 before listing the items for sale on platforms including the widely used Spanish app, Wallapop.
Her alleged accomplice, who remains at large, is a 28-year-old former inmate whom she met during her time working inside the Catalan prison system.
A Digital Trail Leads to Arrest
The investigation gained momentum when police discovered online advertisements for the stolen construction equipment. By tracing the digital footprint of the seller, officers were able to identify the 49-year-old woman as their primary suspect.
According to a report from El Caso, investigators orchestrated a sting operation after learning the suspect had arranged to meet a potential buyer. On Monday, 16 March, plainclothes officers from the Catalan police force moved in on the arranged meeting point in Martorell, a municipality southwest of Barcelona.
Officers identified and arrested the woman at the scene. She faces charges for a delito de receptación, the crime of receiving or handling stolen goods. Under Spanish law, this offence applies to individuals who, with knowledge of a crime, profit from its effects without directly participating in the initial theft. Police then transferred her to a station before she appeared before a duty judge in Granollers.
An Unlikely Alliance Forged in Prison
The case has drawn attention due to the suspect’s professional background and her connection to the alleged accomplice. Until recently, she held a stable position as a social worker within a penitentiary centre administered by the Catalan Department of Justice.
It was during her employment that she reportedly met her 28-year-old partner, a Moroccan national who was serving time for multiple thefts. Law enforcement sources describe him as a prolific repeat offender with approximately thirty prior police records. He was imprisoned in 2019 following a string of robberies.
Reports suggest the man allegedly persuaded the social worker to leave her job and join him in criminal activity. This case presents a troubling scenario: a public official, tasked with aiding rehabilitation, was instead drawn into the very world they are meant to combat. While rare, it is not unprecedented for a public servant to face serious criminal charges, echoing a recent case where a Mossos officer was jailed for stealing from a deceased man.
Investigation Continues as Manhunt Launched
While the former prison official is now in custody, the Mossos d’Esquadra have confirmed that the investigation remains open. A manhunt is currently underway for her partner, who is considered a co-conspirator in the robberies.
The accomplice’s extensive criminal history, characteristic of many prolific offenders operating in the Barcelona area, makes his capture a priority for the police force. The case highlights the ongoing challenge of recidivism and the complex personal dynamics that can emerge within the justice system.
