He broke into a house to steal electronics. What he found on an old camera led him straight back to the police — anonymously, and at his own legal risk.
The Burglary
A thief in the southern Spanish province of Jaén stole an old Super 8 camera and several tapes during a home burglary. Reviewing the tapes afterward, the burglar discovered they contained footage of child sexual abuse.
Turning It In
Rather than discard the tapes, the burglar placed them in an envelope along with a note identifying the suspected offender's address, left the package under a parked car, and called police from a public phone to direct them to it. The note read, in part, that he felt obligated to turn the tapes in so authorities could act.
The Arrest
Police identified and arrested a 64-year-old man at the same residence that had been burglarized — the man who had originally reported the break-in to police, listing stolen electronics but not mentioning the camera or tapes. He was a local youth football coach. Investigators identified four minors as victims, including one who may have been abused over a period of several years. Additional material was found at the residence during the investigation.
An Unusual Case
The burglar, whom police never identified or apprehended, risked his own prosecution for the break-in by coming forward. Authorities have not commented on whether they intend to pursue charges against him if he is identified.
FAQ
Was the burglar ever identified?
No. As of the available reporting, he had not been identified or apprehended.
What happened to the suspected abuser?
He was arrested, and police identified four minors as victims during the investigation.
How did police learn about the abuse?
The burglar left the tapes and an anonymous note for police after discovering their contents.