Elche Local Police have arrested a man on suspicion of burglary at a detached property in the La Marina district of the municipality.

Officers responded to a report of a possible break-in and, during a search of the area near Camino del Molar, found a man crouching in a ditch. When he noticed the patrol car, he allegedly tried to hide by lying on the ground. Police identified him and discovered he was carrying a backpack containing professional tools, including a hydraulic jack, a torch and a defensive spray. A balaclava and a keyring with several vehicle keys were also found among his belongings.

At the same time, another patrol spoke to the property owner and carried out an inspection. Officers found that rear and side metal fencing had been cut and that a hole had been made to access a storage area containing 32 solar batteries, valued at 140 euros each, as well as a water pump.

The owner identified several of the seized tools as his, including a wheel wrench, metal cutting shears and pliers. Based on the evidence gathered at the scene, officers arrested the man on suspicion of burglary with force.