Agents Rurals have arrested a 28-year-old man from Barberà del Vallès as the suspected perpetrator of three forest fires in the municipality, apprehending him on 6 September while he attempted to ignite a fourth in the Castell de Barberà area.

The investigation began in August after evidence indicated that two consecutive wildfires in the same zone, occurring just fifteen days apart, were deliberately set, according to the Agents Rurals, who are responsible for determining the origin of forest fires in Catalonia.

Specialist officers identified the young local resident as a suspect and increased covert surveillance of the forested areas around Barberà del Vallès. Their operations culminated on Sunday, 6 September, when they intercepted the man in the act of trying to start another fire at the Castell de Barberà site, where prior blazes had occurred.

Handed Over for Judicial Processing

The arrest was carried out with support from the Barberà del Vallès Local Police. Following the in flagrante detention, the suspect was transferred to the Mossos d'Esquadra, the Catalan regional police, for formal judicial proceedings.

The acts under investigation may constitute a criminal offence under Article 351 of Spain’s Penal Code, which defines the crime of causing a forest fire and carries custodial sentences. The final classification will be determined by the courts.

“The body has reminded that the investigated acts could constitute a crime of forest fire as defined in Article 351 of the Penal Code.”

No motive has been disclosed for the alleged arson attacks, and authorities have not released information about the suspect’s nationality or whether he suffers from any psychological condition, according to reports from elnacional.cat and Infobae published on 10 September.

Reported by metropoliabierta.elespanol.com, elnacional.cat, infobae.com, lavanguardia.com, Metrópoli Abierta - Urban Life.

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