One of Spain’s ‘Most Wanted’ arrested in Malaga

GUARDIA CIVIL and Local Police arrested the man wanted for shooting his partner’s lover in Chilches, Velez-Malaga.

He was one of Spain’s five most wanted criminals and was arrested during a high speed chase after holding up a bank in Alhaurin de la Torre where he stole almost €10,000.

The 46-year-old, originally from the North African enclave of Melilla, had formerly escaped from prison in Badajoz after failing to return when he was on leave.

On July 17, a man arrived at his lover’s home and found her with another man. The couple began to argue and the other man allegedly pulled out a gun and shot the 50-year-old Argentinean man in the shoulder before fleeing the scene.

The woman took the victim to a health centre, where staff called the Guardia Civil. He was later taken to Carlos Haya Hospital in Malaga, and after he was released, made a complaint to the National Police.

After questioning the woman several times, the officers decided to arrest her for covering for the shooter who was a former partner. However, he remained a fugitive until last Wednesday at 2pm, when he held up a Banco Santander in Alhaurin de la Torre. He walked into the bank wearing sunglasses and a money belt containing a gun.

He then fled in a BMW which had been stolen in Nerja, and roadblocks were set up in the Zapata and Churriana areas, near the airport. Finding his path blocked, the fugitive allegedly rammed the cars in front of him before driving at full speed towards the officers who shot at the tyres of the vehicle.

He lost control of the car and crashed into a roundabout, but fled on foot. However, he was caught by Guardia Civil and Local Police. He was carrying a loaded gun, and in the car there was a knife as well as the stolen money.