A COSTA del Sol gym trainer has been arrested after one of his wealthy clients was savagely beaten and tied up during a horrifying home robbery.
The suspect, a 40-year-old South American man, is believed to have conspired with another client to ambush the victim at his Benalmadena chalet on June 20.
The pair allegedly made off with a haul of luxury items worth hundreds of thousands of euros, including an Aston Martin sports car, Cartier and Rolex watches, and two Montblanc fountain pens.
Both face allegations of robbery involving violence, assault causing injury, unlawful detention and unauthorised use of a motor vehicle, according to Spanish media reports.
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The victim, who is in his late fifties, had returned home after his usual workout at an exclusive Costa del Sol gym when two masked men attacked him at around 2pm.
As he prepared to leave for lunch, the pair allegedly set upon him with several punches before putting him in a chokehold to render him powerless.
They then bound his hands and feet with duct tape, leaving him unable to resist as they ransacked the property.
The robbers fled with the businessman’s wallet, several luxury watches, two Montblanc pens and his Aston Martin, which had been parked outside the villa.
Police later recovered the sports car near the former Calamorro quarry in Benalmadena, but the other stolen items have not been reported recovered.
Policia Nacional officers spent months investigating the robbery, focusing on the victim’s inner circle after concluding that the perpetrators appeared to know his daily routine and lifestyle.
Investigators eventually turned their attention to the luxury gym where the businessman trained every day.
One suspect was the trainer, who worked closely with the victim and advised him on his workouts.
The second was a 24-year-old Spanish man who had struck up a friendship with the pair at the gym.
Police believe the suspects used their regular contact with the businessman to learn about his wealth, valuables and daily habits before allegedly planning the attack.
The trainer was arrested and informed of the allegations against him.
His alleged accomplice had left Spain, prompting police to issue a warrant for his arrest.
He has since returned to Spain and handed himself in at court, where he was remanded in custody over the alleged robbery.
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