The British National Crime Agency (NCA) reported on Thursday that a co-ordinated operation between British and Spanish security forces has led to the arrest in Malaga of Mark Francis Roberts, one of the most wanted criminals in the United Kingdom.
Civil Guard agents arrested Roberts, 29, who ran away seven years ago, and is facing charges of attempted robbery and grievous bodily harm Wednesday night in the city of Estepona.
The detainee, who remains in custody pending the development of the extradition process, allegedly tried to rob the man of a watch worth 60,000 pounds (69,000 euros).
His last known address to British security forces was in Fairfield, west of Liverpool.
Merseyside Police (Liverpool) believe Roberts was involved in an attack on 30 September 2016, in which two men armed with knives approached a man who was standing in front of his house after midnight.
The NCA said the victim refused to hand over his watch and suffered serious injuries, for which he was admitted to intensive care and was close to ending his life.
“Roberts’ arrest follows a relentless campaign to track him down and great work by the Civil Guard,” Steve Reynolds, head of the British Agency for Spain, said in a statement.
“We will continue to search for the fugitives, working closely with our allies at home and abroad, including our greatly appreciated Spanish partners,” Reynolds said.
Last February, the NCA appealed to the Spanish public to help find the country’s seven most wanted fugitives suspected of hiding in Spain, including Roberts.
The released list is made up of seven men who are suspected to have some links in Spain, and some also have clues that they may be or have been in specific locations such as Marbella or other places on the Costa del Sol.
