Two Fugitives Apprehended in Estepona in Separate Operations Tied to International Authorities
Two separate arrests in Estepona, on the Costa del Sol, were carried out by the Civil Guard and involved cooperation with authorities in England and the Netherlands. The operations targeted individuals wanted by their home countries, underscoring ongoing cross border efforts to locate and bring fugitives to justice.
The first arrest involved a 29-year-old identified as FMR who faced serious accusations from British authorities. In a confrontation described by UK officials, FMR and an accomplice allegedly assaulted a man to steal a wristwatch worth more than £60,000, a Richard Mille timepiece. According to statements from the British side, the suspects denied involvement. The assault reportedly involved multiple stab wounds that left the victim in critical condition and requiring immediate hospital treatment. In a subsequent update, authorities noted that the suspect cut off his own hand during the incident, a detail that later aided identification by Merseyside Police in the United Kingdom.
In Spain, this same individual was connected to another case dating back to 2022. Investigators linked him to a kidnapping in the municipality of Mijas, where the victim was held against their will and a Rolex watch was taken as a ransom. The victim managed to escape by jumping from the residence balcony during the ordeal. The joint investigation highlighted the cross-border nature of the case, with investigators from multiple jurisdictions seeking to piece together the sequence of events and capture those responsible.
The Civil Guard’s detailed statement indicates that the fugitive was named in both the National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom’s Most Wanted list and the Crimestoppers program, a non-profit initiative launched in 2006 to help identify fugitives wanted by UK police for offenses ranging from drug trafficking to murder and robbery. The inclusion signals a clear bridge between British and international law enforcement efforts to locate individuals who flee to Spain or other jurisdictions, and to disrupt criminal networks before they can cause further harm.
Separately, a Dutch national, identified in the local reports as CAB, was subjected to a different operation in Estepona. The individual faced charges of fraud, money laundering, and illegal possession of weapons. Dutch authorities described CAB as part of a criminal network involved in phishing schemes that affected dozens of victims in the Netherlands in 2019. A subsequent house search reportedly uncovered a substantial tally of firearms, emphasizing the potential danger linked to the network and the breadth of the alleged crimes.
The two arrests were coordinated by the prosecutor’s offices and carried out by the Central Operations Unit of the Civil Guard, with the Estepona operation conducted in collaboration with the NCA Liaison Office in Spain and Dutch police. The combined efforts illustrate how cross-border cooperation is essential in pursuing fugitives who operate across national lines, leveraging intelligence sharing and joint task forces to bring about timely arrests and prevent new harm.
Authorities in Spain and the United Kingdom emphasized the importance of coordinated investigations that bring together multiple agencies to pursue fugitives who threaten public safety. In both cases, investigative teams worked to confirm identities, track movements, and assemble enough evidence to support extradition requests, prosecutions, or other legal actions in the relevant jurisdictions. The joint operations reinforce a shared commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting communities across borders from organized crime and violent offenses. The cases also highlight the ongoing need for vigilant, international law enforcement collaboration to disrupt criminal activity at its roots and ensure accountability for those who attempt to slip away from justice.
Notes: The information above is drawn from official statements by the Civil Guard and partner agencies, with attribution to the respective national authorities responsible for the investigations. Additional context on ongoing investigations and outcomes may be released by the involved offices as cases advance in their respective legal processes.