Spanish National Police have arrested Vasilije Gacevic, widely considered Serbia’s most wanted fugitive, in the heart of Barcelona. The detention, which took place on 19 January, brings an end to a manhunt spanning nearly two years following the brutal murder of Serbian MMA fighter Stefan Savic.
Gacevic, also known by the alias ‘Cabeza’, was located in the city’s historic Gothic Quarter. According to reports, he had been hiding in a tourist apartment, awaiting a cash delivery to fund his continued evasion of justice.
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The ‘Pizza Box’ Chase for Serbia’s Most Wanted Fugitive
The operation to capture Gacevic concluded with cinematic drama in the narrow streets of Barcelona’s old town. Agents from the Fugitive Location Group and the Judicial Police Brigade had established a surveillance perimeter around the suspect’s location for several days. However, the operation was complicated by the fact that Gacevic rarely left the safety of the apartment.
The breakthrough came when a burly man was spotted exiting the building carrying several pizza boxes. As officers approached to verify his identity, Gacevic realised he had been compromised. In a desperate bid for freedom, he threw the pizza boxes at the agents and sprinted into the labyrinthine streets of the Gothic Quarter.
A frantic foot chase ensued, ending when officers intercepted him in the doorway of a building on Carrer de les Caputxes. Despite having altered his appearance by growing out his hair, police were able to confirm his identity immediately.
A Brutal Crime in Belgrade
The arrest warrant for Gacevic stems from a violent incident in Belgrade on 25 February 2024. Stefan Savic, a celebrated mixed martial arts fighter and bronze medallist for the Serbian national team, was attacked in the street with extreme ferocity.
Savic sustained approximately 30 stab wounds during the assault. A bystander who attempted to intervene and assist the athlete was also seriously injured. Following the murder, Gacevic fled Serbia by crossing the border into Kosovo. Consequently, Interpol issued a Red Notice—the highest level of international alert for a wanted person.
International Cooperation Leads to Arrest
The capture resulted from close collaboration between Serbian and Spanish authorities. Meanwhile, it is one of several recent major police operations in Catalonia.
Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic publicly celebrated the arrest, citing it as a prime example of effective international police work. Therefore, Gacevic currently remains in custody awaiting extradition to Serbia, where he will face trial for the murder of Savic. In addition, a second suspect implicated in the crime remains at large.
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