The Guardia Civil have arrested a man in Tenerife, suspected of committing a string of arson attacks which resulted in the destruction of several vehicles in Candelaria, causing significant alarm among local residents.
The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, was detained as the presumed perpetrator of a continuing offence of criminal damage following the burning of three parked vehicles during the early hours of the morning in Candelaria.
The fire, allegedly started by the man, quickly spread from one vehicle to two others and caused additional damage to a fourth.
The arrest comes after an intensive investigation led by the Guardia Civil’s Criminal Investigation Unit in Candelaria, with support from the force’s Forensic Laboratory. The team conducted a thorough analysis of the scene and gathered incriminating evidence linking the suspect to the incidents.
Once sufficient evidence was compiled, officers set up a targeted surveillance operation which led to the man’s arrest. Authorities have confirmed that the accused had previously been detained for a similar offence, further raising concerns in the community about his potential to reoffend.
The incidents had sparked widespread anxiety among local residents, with the Guardia Civil noting that the recent wave of arson had created a palpable sense of unease. Following his arrest, the suspect has been placed at the disposal of the Court of Instruction on duty in Güímar.
