A man has been convicted twice in 2025 for alleged thefts committed at the municipal waste disposal center in Girona, located in the Mas Xirgu industrial estate. The sentences, handed down by two different courts in the city, refer to incidents that occurred in January and October of this year at the same waste management facility.
First conviction for petty theft during daytime
The first case dates back to January 29. The accused entered the recycling center during daylight hours and took a pair of sneakers and a laptop battery, valued at 50 euros. The Local Police intercepted him a short distance from the premises, with the items still in his possession. The Prosecutor's Office initially requested a conviction for theft with force and a prison sentence, but the Criminal Court number 2 dismissed this classification. The court considered that violent access or scaling had not been proven, as the entrance is regulated by a barrier similar to that of a parking lot.Finally, the acts were classified as a minor offense of theft, with the aggravating circumstance of recidivism, as the man had been previously convicted of robbery with force in 2023. **The sentence imposes a fine of two months and one day, with a daily rate of three euros, in addition to compensation of 50 euros to the City Council and the payment of court costs.**
Second Attempted Theft and New Judicial Measures
The second incident took place on the night of October 30. The same individual re-entered the recycling center and attempted to steal pots, pans, coffee makers, and various scrap metal, valued at 55 euros. A worker from the service detected the action and alerted the Municipal Police. The officers identified the suspect outside the premises and recovered all the items.
The Court of Instruction number 4 found a minor offense of attempted theft to be proven. During the oral hearing, the person in charge of the night shift declared:
"The man often went to the junkyard to steal" - Shift supervisor
The sentence establishes a fine of 20 days at a daily rate of 8 euros, totaling 160 euros, payment of court costs, and a prohibition from approaching within 100 meters of the recycling center for two months. This order takes effect immediately upon judicial notification.
Union Concern Over Safety at Recycling Center
In mid-October, the Girona + Neta works council publicly denounced the unsafe situation experienced by workers at the facility. According to union representatives, people access the site almost daily to steal waste, which has led to episodes of verbal and physical aggression against staff.
"This situation has been dragging on for a while" - Union Representative
Both sentences can be appealed before the Provincial Court of Girona. Neither of the rulings is final at this time.