Mossos d'Esquadra officers in Salou, Tarragona, arrested four young people, including a minor, on 22 April 2020, for allegedly causing extensive vehicle damage by breaking the wing mirrors of 16 parked cars. The suspects were later released with charges after appearing in court, according to judicial sources.
The incident occurred around 5am on Carrer del Nord (North Street) when a police patrol from the Salou station observed a group of four individuals walking in the area. According to Mossos d'Esquadra, the group quickened their pace and moved away rapidly upon noticing the police presence, which immediately raised the officers' suspicions regarding their activities.
Minutes after this initial encounter, a local resident contacted the patrol to report that several young people had caused damage to numerous vehicles parked on the same street. The description provided by the witness fully matched that of the individuals the officers had previously observed, providing a clear link between the group and the acts of vandalism.
Police Investigation Leads to Arrests
Initial investigations by the Mossos d'Esquadra indicated that the perpetrators had systematically walked along the initial stretch of Carrer del Nord, specifically from its intersection with Plaça Europa to approximately the middle of the road. During this destructive route, they allegedly used kicks or punches to forcefully damage and break the wing mirrors of the 16 vehicles parked along the street.
Officers quickly located the four suspects approximately 50 metres from the scene where the damage had occurred. Following appropriate checks and verification of the reports, police confirmed the extensive damage to a total of 16 vehicles. Police sources suggested that the individuals had been drinking prior to the incident, potentially influencing their actions.
The Mossos d'Esquadra proceeded to arrest the four young people on suspicion of a crime of damage. Three of the detainees were aged between 18 and 19 years old, while the fourth was identified as a minor.
The minor was subsequently placed at the disposal of the Juvenile Prosecutor's Office for further legal proceedings, in accordance with specific legislation for minors. The three adult detainees appeared before the Investigating Court Number 3 in Tarragona on 23 April. The magistrate, after reviewing the case, ordered their release with charges, meaning they will face further judicial proceedings related to the alleged vandalism.
