Local Police in Martorell arrested two individuals after catching them red-handed loading stolen copper cable into their car. The incident occurred during a routine patrol in the municipality, located within the Baix Llobregat comarca.

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On the night of Thursday, February 19, 2026, officers conducting preventative security patrols noticed two individuals acting suspiciously near an ADIF (Administrador de Infraestructuras Ferroviarias) maintenance centre. ADIF is the Spanish state-owned railway infrastructure manager.

The Arrest and Investigation

When officers approached the vehicle, they observed the pair tampering with cabling. Noticing the police presence, the suspects panicked and tried to flee in their car, abandoning some stolen material at the scene, according to El Caso. Police quickly intercepted the vehicle and detained the individuals.

A search of the car revealed its boot was filled with copper cable. Further investigation then led officers to a nearby ADIF maintenance warehouse. There, they discovered a broken lock on the perimeter fence and a forced door to a small storage unit, confirming the stolen cable originated from the warehouse.

While the Ajuntament de Martorell (Martorell Town Council) has not released specific details about the suspects’ ages or nationalities, it confirmed both have prior convictions for property-related crimes. They now face charges of robbery with force.

Response and Context

The Local Police of Martorell, operating under the Generalitat de Catalunya (Government of Catalonia), continue to investigate. This swift apprehension highlights the effectiveness of proactive policing in the region. Officers secured the ADIF maintenance centre, a crucial hub for maintaining railway infrastructure in the Baix Llobregat area, following the incident.

Copper cable theft, meanwhile, remains a persistent problem across Spain. Thieves often target infrastructure such as railway lines and telecommunications networks. The high value of copper as a raw material makes it an attractive target, causing significant disruption and economic losses.

This incident is not isolated. Earlier this week, for example, La Vanguardia reported that the Mossos d’Esquadra, Catalonia’s autonomous police force, arrested three men for alleged thefts in Martorell and Rubí. Police apprehended these suspects after they fled from a shopping centre car park in Martorell, finding them in possession of cash, documents, and items related to another robbery in Rubí. A fourth suspect remains at large.

Implications and Outlook

The successful apprehension of these thieves in Martorell serves as a deterrent, underscoring the importance of vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement and infrastructure operators like ADIF. Furthermore, the incident highlights the need for enhanced security measures to protect critical infrastructure from theft and vandalism.

Although law enforcement officials did not provide direct quotes on this specific case, the overall sentiment remains consistent: protecting public infrastructure and ensuring community safety and security are paramount. Police continue to investigate to determine the full extent of the damage and prevent future incidents.

The case is now before the judicial system in Sant Feliu de Llobregat, where the suspects will face theft-related charges.

Martorell is located in the Baix Llobregat region near Barcelona.

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According to the official source, see El Caso – Atrapan a unos ladrones en Martorell cargando el maletero de cable de cobre robado de un almacén de ADIF.