Man arrested in Ondarroa suspected of Azpeitia taxi driver's murder
A 43-year-old man surrendered voluntarily to the Ertzaintza after four days on the run. The victim, Alex Aizpuru, died from five shots in the street.
Suspected murderer of Azpeitia taxi driver surrenders after four days in hiding
The Ertzaintza arrested the suspected perpetrator of taxi driver Alex Aizpuru's murder early this morning, known as 'Etxaun', who was killed last Tuesday in Azpeitia. According to elcorreo.com, the suspect—a 43-year-old man—presented himself voluntarily at 05.30 at Ondarroa police station, ending four days of manhunt.
The detainee was carrying a pistol at the time of his surrender. The Ertzaintza is now working to determine whether that weapon is the same one used to fire the five shots that killed Alex, a 31-year-old taxi driver.
Investigation remains open despite arrest
Sources from the Ertzaintza indicate that the investigation is not considered closed with the main suspect's surrender. Officers must still establish whether the man had the collaboration of third parties, both to commit the alleged crime and to remain in hiding during the three days following the incident.
The murder took place in broad daylight in a busy area of the town. Several residents initially mistook the shots for a traffic accident. Spent cartridges were left at the scene; the alleged perpetrator fled in his vehicle. The weapon used had not been found until the time of arrest.
Without documentation and without money: a brief flight
During searches carried out at the suspect's home, officers found his mobile phone, documentation, wallets and other personal belongings. This discovery proved decisive for investigators. "Fleeing without documentation and without money has a very short range," police sources explained to this newspaper.
The absence of these items suggested that the man might still be hiding in the Azpeitia area. Checks and searches were carried out following protocols established for situations involving a possibly armed individual, with the necessary personnel to ensure the safety of officers.
A possible settling of accounts linked to drugs
The investigation remains under judicial secrecy, which considerably limits the information available officially. The report is classified as "capado", a level of protection that is applied only in cases of special significance.
With the location of the suspect resolved, police focus now shifts to the motive. The two men knew each other and, according to residents of Azpeitia, had maintained some friendship in the past. The Ertzaintza is working with the hypothesis that the crime could be a settling of accounts linked to drug trafficking, according to what elcorreo.com reported in previous days.
According to sources consulted by this newspaper, the suspect had reportedly held several people responsible—among them the victim—for his legal situation, which would point to a possible motive of revenge. He had reportedly threatened various people, asserting that nothing would stop him from carrying out his purpose, even if it meant returning to prison.
A criminal history of drug trafficking
The arrested man's record has become relevant in recent days. The Provincial Court of Gipuzkoa sentenced him in 2009 to eleven years imprisonment for drug trafficking; he served seven years in Martutene prison. The sentence found it proven that he and his then partner stored significant quantities of narcotics in a house in Azkoitia for trafficking purposes, including close to two kilos of amphetamine and more than one kilo of marijuana.
Investigators are now attempting to determine whether there is any link between that past, the personal relationship between the two men and what occurred on Tuesday afternoon. In Azpeitia, where the families of both the victim and the detainee are known, various versions circulate about possible earlier confrontations. The absence of official answers has fuelled all manner of rumours in the town.
Town hall urges caution and activates support protocols
Following confirmation of the arrest, Azpeitia's town hall addressed the public again. "In light of this situation, and as it has done from the outset, the town hall urges caution, especially out of respect for the family of the deceased person and all parties involved," declared the mayor, Nagore Alkorta.
The council has activated its assistance protocols and has made all municipal support and protection resources available to residents, including free psychological support. The Local Police continue to collaborate actively with the Ertzaintza in carrying out proceedings.
Source: Google News ES — Crime (es)