Man Arrested in Denia for Stealing Money from Mosques in Alicante

Spain's National Police have arrested a man in Denia, in the province of Alicante, on suspicion of stealing money from mosques in the Valencian Community.

The suspect, described by investigators as a repeat offender, is accused of robbing the donation boxes used by worshippers to give money for charitable purposes at mosques across the region.

According to reports, the man is believed to have targeted at least three different mosques, taking money intended to support the local Muslim community and its religious activities.

Police say this is not the first time he has been detained for this kind of offence. He has reportedly been arrested on three separate occasions for similar thefts from mosques, suggesting a pattern of repeated criminal behaviour.

The arrest was carried out by officers from the National Police, Spain's main law enforcement body, as part of an ongoing investigation into thefts from religious institutions in the area.

While authorities have confirmed the arrest, they have not yet disclosed specific details such as the total amount of money stolen, the exact dates of the alleged thefts, or the identity of the suspect, in line with standard privacy protocols during an active case.

Thefts from donation boxes in places of worship, though often involving relatively small sums, can have a significant impact on religious communities that depend on these funds to support charitable work and the upkeep of their buildings.

The case comes amid broader concerns in Spain about petty theft targeting community and religious institutions, which rely heavily on voluntary contributions rather than formal funding structures.

Investigators have not indicated whether the man will face additional charges related to his status as an alleged repeat offender, though Spanish law typically allows for harsher penalties in such cases.

The investigation remains open, and police have not ruled out further arrests or the discovery of additional incidents connected to the suspect.