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ARCHIVED - Dirty Harry-style greengrocer-cum-bank robber arrested in Hondon de los Frailes
Two of the seven robberies committed were in the Region of Murcia
In a case which has attracted the attention of the national press a 58-year-old greengrocer in Hondón de los Frailes, in the Medio Vinalopó area of the province of Alicante, has been identified as the man responsible for seven bank robberies over the last four years which resulted in an estimated booty of over 350,000 euros.
The reasons for the story being an eye-catching one are numerous, although arguably top of the list is the weapon the robber used to intimidate staff during his assaults on banks in Alicante and the Region of Murcia. It appears that the greengrocer was a fan of the Dirty Harry films, as he armed himself with a Smith&Wesson 357 Magnum - “the most powerful hadgun in the world” according to the Clint Eastwood character - a weapon which exudes power with its lengthy barrel.
The fear of bank employees was one of the factors which led to the fruit-and-veg merchant, a popular character in his home town, becoming one of the most wanted men in Spain. And yet, despite all the efforts of the police and Guardia Civil, he remained at large for four years, quietly going about his “day job” in between the robberies in El Siscar and El Raal, in Murcia, and Granja de Rocamora, Monforte, Raiguero de Bonanza, Sax and La Murada in the south of the province of Alicante.
In addition, it might be supposed that the task facing the police would have been made easier by the fact that he made no apparent attempt to conceal his identity and appearance during the robberies. No mask, no balaclava, no stocking concealed his face, and yet still security camera footage did not lead to his arrest.
This is because, according to the Guardia Civil, the arch-criminal usually wears heavily graduated glasses which considerably change his appearance, but during his robberies he took his glasses off. One of the side-effects of this, of course, was that while robbing banks he could only see blurred shapes, hence the need for an intimidating firearm to ensure that no-one took advantage of his lack of clear vision.
To be fair to the Guardia, he also shaved his head after each robbery, making his appearance on camera quite different from when he was next seen in public dispensing lettuces and nectarines.
But these are not the only facts which, some might imagine, could have led to him being arrested sooner. Amazingly, both his day-to-day profession and his “hobby” were inherited from his father, who was also a greengrocer and a bank robber!
He has also been arrested for similar robberies in the past, and has served time behind bars.
Eventually, the combination of all these factors led to his arrest this week, and during his detention he was found to be in possession of two revolvers, three cases of ammunition, 50,000 euros in cash, gloves and other items used during the heists. The evidence would appear to be fairly conclusive, and his wife also faces charges of covering up her husband’s activities.