A fifth suspect has been arrested over the brutal killing of a Swedish expat in Torrevieja last October.
Christian Pikulak, 30, died after being dragged by a car while trying to stop a Moroccan gang from stealing his phone.
The fifth and final suspect was detained in Alicante during an ID check by Policia Nacional, it emerged this week.
Police quickly realised he was wanted to serve out a one year and four month sentence for a separate assault.
Once in police custody, it emerged that he was also wanted in connection with the death of Christian.
The 25-year-old is a Spanish national of Moroccan origin. He is being held in prison without bail before facing trial for homicide and violent robbery.
He is the brother of another young man who voluntarily surrendered to police in Alicante in late November and was also remanded in custody for his alleged involvement.
Their arrests follow those of three other suspects detained in mid-November.
During questioning, the latest detainee denied direct involvement in the fatal robbery.
He told investigators that he did not interact with the victim and admitted only that he was inside the car, seated in the back.
He denied being either the driver or the front passenger, according to sources close to the case.
Of the first three suspects arrested, two were remanded in custody, while the third was released on provisional bail.
That individual denied taking part in the robbery but admitted being in the vehicle earlier that day, which he said explained why his fingerprints were found in the rented car used by the group.
This same suspect also identified two other individuals and stated that the brother of the fifth detainee was sitting in the front passenger seat.
According to his account, that man grabbed the victim’s mobile phone and instructed the driver to accelerate while Christian was still holding on to the vehicle. The victim later died in hospital from his injuries.
Investigators believe the suspects were already under investigation by a specialist unit of the Alicante police for operating as a robbery gang.
The group is suspected of committing similar offences in Alicante, Benidorm and Torrevieja, using the same method seen in the fatal incident.
According to police sources, the group would approach victims under the pretext of asking for directions or assistance, before suddenly stealing their belongings.
The investigation continues.
