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Reporters Targeted During Tour de France Coverage

The Mossos d'Esquadra have arrested two men, both aged 49, in connection with the theft of professional audiovisual equipment valued at more than €15,000 from a team of French television journalists. The incident occurred on 5 July 2026 in Tarragona, as the reporters prepared to cover the Tour de France stage passing through the city. According to the investigation, the journalists were loading their gear into a vehicle when one of the suspects approached a reporter under the pretence of asking for information about the race’s starting point. During the brief exchange, the man observed where the equipment was being stored. Minutes later, a suitcase containing high-value broadcast gear went missing. One crew member immediately linked the disappearance to the earlier encounter and attempted to pursue the suspect. However, he managed to flee by jumping into the front seat of another vehicle and speeding off towards the C-31B road.

Detectives Identify Suspects via Surveillance

Agents from the Urban Crime Unit (GDU) at Tarragona’s police station led the inquiry, supported by footage from security cameras that clearly captured the theft. Collaboration between officers in Barcelona and Caldes de Montbui enabled the identification and location of the two suspects. One of the detained men has nine prior criminal records. The arrests took place on 1 September and 6 October 2026 in Barcelona and Santa Eulàlia de Ronçana (Vallès Oriental), respectively.

The suspects exploited a moment of distraction to steal vital broadcast equipment during one of the year’s major international events.

Both individuals were placed under judicial custody and appeared before the Civil and Instruction Section of the Barcelona and Granollers Court. Further details on the ongoing case can be found via the Mossos d'Esquadra official news portal.

Primary sources: mossos.gencat.cat. Reported by tarragonaradio.cat, elcaso.elnacional.cat, diaridetarragona.com, Tarragona21, S.C, Diari de Tarragona, Tarragona Ràdio.