Seven people have been arrested after a tobacco shop manager in Marbella allegedly helped stage an armed robbery to steal more than €12,000.

The manager and a female colleague are accused of plotting with accomplices to take the weekend’s takings while the owner was away.

One of the alleged ringleaders has been remanded in custody.

The supposed robbery happened on August 31 near a shopping centre in Elviria, where the manager reported being confronted by two hooded attackers while taking the money to the bank.

The pair allegedly threatened him with a pistol before fleeing in a vehicle with help from other suspects.

However, investigators from the Policia Nacional uncovered evidence suggesting the supposed victim was involved in the plan.

A key breakthrough came from the getaway car, a rental vehicle reported stolen in Fuengirola shortly after the incident.

Police believe that report was also fabricated to cover the group’s tracks.

Officers located the car in Fuengirola and caught one suspect allegedly trying to remove evidence from its interior.

Further enquiries suggested members of the group had watched the tobacconist before the staged robbery. A close relative of one employee was also allegedly involved.

According to investigators, the business owner knew nothing of the plot and was away for personal reasons when it happened.

Police recovered the getaway vehicle and the weapon used in the incident, which turned out to be an imitation pistol.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.