The National Police have arrested a 26-year-old man in Alicante who was listed as a fugitive after being sentenced to three years in prison in Austria. He is accused of alleged involvement in at least eleven robberies committed in supermarkets during January of this year. The value of the stolen goods, mainly alcoholic beverages, amounts to 29,187 euros.
According to police sources, the young man allegedly acted with others in these crimes. After his conviction, he fled Austria to avoid serving his sentence, which led the Austrian judicial authorities to issue a European Arrest Warrant (EAW).
Upon receiving the EAW notification, the Spanish National Police launched an investigation to locate the fugitive. The efforts included tracking possible addresses and conducting checks in strategic areas.
Finally, a citizen security patrol identified and arrested the man in the city of Alicante without incident. After verifying his identity and the judicial warrant, the relevant police procedures were carried out.
The detainee has been placed at the disposal of the Central Investigating Court of the Audiencia Nacional, which is competent to process European arrest warrants. This court will now manage the extradition procedure to Austria, where he will have to serve the imposed sentence.
The National Police has highlighted the importance of this international cooperation, which prevents individuals convicted or investigated for serious crimes from finding refuge in other European Union countries, thanks to the rapid coordination facilitated by the EAW.
