The man behind a viral attempted robbery in Mijas where staff and customers laughed in his face has now been arrested.

Policia Nacional confirmed the suspect, a 38-year-old man, was detained in Fuengirola following a string of violent robberies across the Costa del Sol.

The most surreal moment came in a bar in Las Lagunas when at around 5pm, the man walked in wearing a motorbike helmet and carrying a large machete.

He went straight to the bar, stood between two customers and made his demand in English: ‘The money, now.’

But instead of panic, he was met with laughter, as staff and customers thought it was a prank or a joke.

At one point, the bartender grabbed the machete while dismissing the situation entirely.

With no fear, no money, and no one taking him seriously, the would-be robber walked out empty-handed.

But police say the failed hold-up was just one part of a wider crime spree.

The suspect is accused of carrying out four robberies in Fuengirola and Mijas.

These include a hotel robbery on March 19, when €2,000 was stolen at knife point.

A second hotel robbery occurred just days later, this time using a firearm, netting €1,000, followed by a violent hold-up at a burger restaurant in Mijas and finally the failed bar robbery that ended in laughter.

A second man has also been arrested, accused of acting as the getaway driver on a motorbike.

Following the last attack, police launched an operation to track down the suspect.

Officers from specialist units moved in and arrested him in the Los Limones area of Fuengirola as he attempted to flee.

The investigation was led by the UDEV serious crime unit, supported by public order police.

Both suspects have now appeared before a judge with the alleged main attacker remanded in custody.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.