Specialized and Violent Crime Unit agents (UDEV) of the Alicante Province Judicial Police Brigade arrested a 59-year-old Spanish national man, accused of robbing a bank branch at gunpoint in Alicante city in July 2021. The suspect, who wore a courier company uniform, has now been apprehended in San Vicente del Raspeig after stealing a motorcycle belonging to a national police officer. At the time of his arrest, he was handling another stolen motorcycle with a false license plate, leading National Police to suspect plans for another attack. The gun used in the robbery was recovered from his home.
UDEV agents in the region near San Juan Beach followed the trail after the motorcycle stolen in San Vicente del Raspeig was recovered. An examination by the Alicante Provincial Scientific Police Brigade yielded evidence that helped identify the possible perpetrator. The findings provided crucial clues that linked the suspect to the case and pointed investigators toward the identity of the thief.
Police officials noted that the identify confirmed after a series of steps, and the resulting profile matched the individual found in the files as the person responsible for the motorcycle theft. The coincidence strengthened the case and culminated in a definitive lead that tied the suspect to the thefts and later to the prior robbery.
Arrested for multiple attacks
Officials confirmed that the suspect had prior police records for several violent robberies and was also alleged to be involved in a robbery at a BBVA branch on Novelda Boulevard in Alicante in July 2021. After the suspect was located, investigators tracked him to San Vicente del Raspeig and began the arrest process while he manipulated another stolen motorcycle with counterfeit plates.
The bank robbery occurred on July 8, 2021, at BBVA’s office on Novelda Boulevard. The robber entered wearing the courier company uniform and threatened staff, demanding money. About 7,295 euros were taken with a firearm, and the incident occurred as the office was closing for the day. The assailant presented himself as the courier messenger, a person typically seen handling parcels and letters.
Inside the branch, the gun was aimed at employees who were instructed to stay put in a corner of the office. One employee managed to escape, while another was restrained near the safe but money on desks and in drawers was seized by the robber.
Escape on a motorcycle
Following the theft, the culprit fled on a stolen motorcycle. Investigators pursued multiple leads, but the evidence at that stage did not conclusively identify the attacker, leaving the case open for further action and potential indictment.
In a turn of events this year, a new arrest occurred after the suspect’s motorcycle was stolen and a home search uncovered additional items, including a short firearm, ammunition, and the uniform of a well-known courier company. The police confirmed that this new evidence enabled a reliable link between the individual and the 2021 robbery, leading to formal charges for the crime and the thefts of the two motorcycles.
The National Police stated that the arrest likely prevented another robbery. The suspect was placed in the custody of the San Vicente del Raspeig court to face charges.