A Marbella police officer has been arrested after allegedly faking an arrest against a businessman in a bid to steal thousands of euros from him.
The unnamed suspect is being investigated alongside a former polce colleague and a third man for violent robbery.
According to sources cited by La Opinion de Malaga, the arrests were made several months ago, but details have only been released now.
The incident happened on November 17 last year, when a Chinese businessman was attacked in the Cruz de Humilladero district of Malaga city, as he walked to a salon for a haircut.
Three men approached him claiming to be police officers, wearing clothing and badges that convincingly resembled official uniforms.
They beat him and attempted to force him into a vehicle under the pretence of an arrest. Although they failed to bundle him inside, they managed to steal his bag containing around €4,000 in cash.
Detectives in Malaga spent months identifying the alleged perpetrators, who are all residents of Marbella.
Investigators believe the trio selected the businessman deliberately and monitored his movements for a period of time, suspecting he regularly carried large amounts of cash.
Police raids at the suspects’ homes uncovered a real firearm, two blank-firing pistols, ammunition and equipment used to impersonate police officers, including a tactical vest, replica police badges and communication devices.
Officers also seized GPS tracking beacons, which they believe were used to monitor the vehicles of their intended targets.
The investigation continues.
Read more Costa del Sol news at the Spanish Eye.
