Moroccan Ex-Athlete Arrested Again: 17th Theft Charge for Former Marathoner in Spain

The former Moroccan athlete was caught in the act of theft again on Tuesday, September 10, as he tried to escape from a store with a backpack containing the stolen devices. The security agents apprehended him and alerted the police because the value of the items found in his possession exceeded 400 euros.

According to Las Provincias, which reports the information, the marathoner appeared on Friday, September 13, before the court, after spending the night in custody, and was released. However, he was sentenced to three months in prison with probation and was forced to make commitments in turn.

Indeed, Jaouad Tougane agrees not to commit any more crimes in the next 3 years, not to return to this shopping center during the same period and to undergo a detoxification treatment in Valencia.

In total, the marathoner will have been arrested by the police 17 times, for various offenses: theft, aggravated theft, fraud, resistance to law enforcement and violation of the law on foreigners.

Having often expressed his regrets to the authorities for the criminal acts he has committed, he recently stated that the media coverage of his thefts and arrests has caused him a lot of harm. As for the motive for his repeated thefts, he says he wants to repay a debt he had contracted with a friend.