Man jailed after historic church theft

A man has been sent to prison after a burglary at a protected church in Cuevas del Almanzora, where historic coins, candelabras and jars were stolen from inside the building.

The Guardia Civil said the theft took place at the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación, a listed historic building in the Almeria town. Officers said the suspect is accused of a break-in with force and of taking items of cultural and liturgical value.

How the theft was discovered

The case began when one of the church’s responsible staff arrived at the building and found ecclesiastical objects scattered on the floor and part of the furniture open.

That discovery triggered a police investigation led by the Guardia Civil’s heritage unit, which worked to identify the person responsible and recover the stolen items.

According to investigators, the suspect is believed to have entered after forcing the grille on a window. The search also indicated that tools found at the premises were used during the break-in, at a time when building work at the church had been paused.

Custody ordered by the court

The Guardia Civil said the alleged thief took coins, candelabras and jars belonging to the church’s ecclesiastical and cultural heritage. The force also said it worked with the local police in Cuevas del Almanzora during the inquiry.

The suspect was later brought before the duty court, which ordered remand in custody.

The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación is protected as a site of cultural interest and is one of the best-known historic buildings in the municipality.