The Guardia Civil has managed to recover the statue dedicated to Severiano Ballesteros that was stolen in Pedreña just over a week ago. The operation culminated in the arrest of a 22-year-old in the Santander neighbourhood of La Albericia, as reported by El Diario Montañés. The sculpture, valued at around 30,000 euros, was found in a storage room and, although it was in pieces, investigators have confirmed that all its parts are preserved, which opens the door to a possible restoration.
The theft was reported on 19 January by the Ayuntamiento de Marina de Cudeyo, which immediately activated a police operation with a clear objective: to prevent the work from being melted down. From the outset, this possibility was considered a real threat, given the characteristics of the material and the type of crime.
During the first few days, various hypotheses were considered, including an act of vandalism or a theft to order. However, as the investigation progressed, the option that gained the most traction was the theft of metal for subsequent sale as scrap. This line guided the police actions.
To close off any escape routes, the Guardia Civil reinforced controls at scrapyards, recycling centres, and dismantling yards, not only in Cantabria but also in neighbouring regions such as Asturias and the Basque Country. This pressure was decisive in preventing the statue from being placed on the illegal market.
The significance of the case and the historical and emotional value of the sculpture led to the investigation being handed over to the Heritage Group of the Cantabria Organic Unit of the Judicial Police. The analysis of movements and number plates revealed that the vehicles related to the theft had not left the region after the events, although suspicious movements towards Vizcaya were later detected.
This information accelerated the police intervention due to the risk of the work being destroyed. Finally, the officers proceeded to arrest the main suspect, who cooperated by indicating the location where the remains of the statue were hidden. During the search, the intact head and complete lower body were recovered, while the torso and arms had been cut with radial tools and prepared for sale among other metal scraps.
According to the reconstruction of events, the statue was removed from its location during the early hours, between three and four, and transported using two vehicles. The detainee, a resident of Santander, remains at the disposal of the judicial authorities, while the investigation remains open and the involvement of more people is not ruled out.
The Ayuntamiento de Marina de Cudeyo has indicated that a technical phase will now be opened to assess the condition of the sculpture and determine if its reconstruction is feasible. The mayor, Pedro Pérez Ferradas, has announced that meetings with specialists, as well as with the golfer’s family and foundation, will be held in the coming days to decide the steps to follow.
The incident has once again highlighted the strong bond between the figure of Severiano Ballesteros and his hometown. Beyond the material damage, the aim of the local authorities is to return the statue to its place and preserve the memory of one of the great figures of Spanish sport.
