Criminals hiding on the Costas beware as Operation Captura returns

UK crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) are once again closing in on Britain‘s most wanted who are believed to be on the run in Spain. Ten new appeals, which include some of the UK‘s most dangerous individuals, have been revealed today in Alicante, an area with a large British ex-patriate community and a potential hideout for fugitives on the run from British law enforcement.

Operation Captura is the successful multi-agency campaign which identifies individuals on the run in Spain who are wanted by UK law enforcement agencies for serious crimes committed in the UK. Since the campaign launched in October 2006, there have been 50 appeals; 38 of whom have been arrested. Many of these are now serving lengthy prison sentences for their crimes which range from drug trafficking to sex crimes to murder.

Dave Cording, Director of Operations at Crimestoppers, said: “The public is one of the greatest weapons in the fight against crime, and once again we are asking the public to help track down most wanted individuals who are sought in connection with some violent, sexual and highly organised crimes. We’ve continually had an overwhelming response to this campaign, resulting in over 500 pieces of useful information on the fugitives sought. You can view all the appeals on the most wanted section of Crimestoppers’ website and if you know anything about the individuals please contact Crimestoppers. No one will ever know you who you are and you will not go to court. Contact us on 0800 555 111 or through our website crimestoppers-uk.org”

Ken Gallagher, Head of European Operations for SOCA, said: “Operation Captura is helping make the ex-pat community in Spain an uncomfortable place for fugitives. Having the public’s attention focussed on these individuals goes a long way to making it harder for them to hide and should act as a warning that Spain is no safe haven for British criminals.”

Crimestoppers and SOCA work closely with the British Embassy in Madrid and British and Spanish law enforcement agencies. The campaign highlights appeals for information on individuals facing prosecution in the UK who have European Arrest Warrants issued against them. Information given to Crimestoppers anonymously can help locate these criminals so that arrests can be carried out by Spanish law enforcement.

Calls to the Spanish 900 555 111 telephone number are answered in the UK by Crimestoppers’ call agents and a translation service is available upon request. People can also pass on information anonymously via the online Giving Information form on Crimestoppers’ website www.crimestoppers-uk.org .

Those in the UK should call 0800 555 111 or visit the website or Julie.moule@crimestoppers-uk.org.

The ten new Operation Captura appeals are:

1. Name: Jamie DEMPSEY – DOB: 13/05/1978 – Place of birth: Essex

Offences: DEMPSEY is wanted by SOCA under an EAW for conspiring to supply cocaine and facilitation of the use of criminal property. It is alleged that between January and March 2009, 299kgs of cocaine were imported into the UK by DEMPSEY and his associates, with the intention to supply to others. Of the accused seven, DEMPSEY is one of two individuals still at large.

Description: Blue eyes, Height – 180cm, Slim build, Collar length, fair hair

 

 

2. Name: Derek McGraw FERGUSON – Alias: William Murdoch HENDERSON – DOB: 10/01/1964 – Place of birth: Glasgow

Offences: FERGUSON is sought in connection with the murder of Thomas Cameron on 28 June 2007 at the Auchinairn Tavern, Bishopbriggs near Glasgow.

Description: Hair: Short brown/grey, balding, Height: 5”2, Eyes: Green / Blue, Distinguishing marks:  Tattoos on left arm of a heart, an arrow and a dagger, part of left ear is missing.

 

3. Name: Anthony FRASER – DOB: 24/12/1971 – Place of birth: London

Offences: Anthony FRASER, son of the notorious criminal Frank FRASER, is wanted in connection to his involvement in the importation of approximately 2 tonnes of cannabis into the UK from the Netherlands on 17/03/09. FRASER is alleged to have hired a lorry to collect the cannabis which had been concealed within a consignment of frozen chicken produce.

Description: Dark brown collar length untidy hair, height 5”10, green eyes, he has scars on his left brow and on his right hand.

 

4. Name: Patrick Pious HANCOX – DOB: 29/05/1943 – Place of birth: Dublin

Offences: HANCOX is wanted for child sex offences and child abduction.  He was arrested on suspicion of this in 2008 and served with a Notice precluding him to have contact with the victim – conditions which were broken. He was subsequently charged with the offences however failed to answer bail and a warrant for his arrest was issued.

Description: Short dark brown/greying hair, Brown/grey facial hair, Large build, Blue eyes, Marks – Scar near right eye.

 

 

5. Name: Eriberto JIMENEZ MELO – Nicknames: Nando and Eric – DOB: 16/01/1978 – Place of birth: Dominican Republic

Offences: JIMENEZ MELO was convicted in his absence to serve 25 years for conspiracy to supply cocaine. JIMENEZ MELO was responsible for looking after the female drugs couriers that brought drugs to an address in Stamford Hill, London. The cocaine was then cut and mixed with another drug before being distributed and sold by JIMENEZ MELO to local customers.

Description: Dark brown hair, Height 5”10, Brown eyes.

 

6. Name: Jonathon LEJMAN/LEHMAN – DOB: 15/05/1981 – Place of birth: Stoke-On-Trent

Offences: LEJMAN is sought on an EAW for his part in an aggravated burglary in Staffordshire. On the 28^th of December 2008 LEJMAN with an accomplice kicked in the fron
t door of a house in Stoke on Trent while the owners were asleep upstairs. LEJMAN proceeded upstairs to the bedroom and threatened the occupants before slashing a kitchen knife across the face of the male occupant. LEJMAN and accomplice left the house leaving the male occupant with a broken cheekbone and a deep wound from ear to mouth.

Description: Height 5”7, Short shaved dark brown hair, Green eyes, Midlands accent, Scars include – Scar to the left of his face under his left eye, Scar to the left of his back 5-6 inches long, Several tattoos including – Tribal design on the back of his neck, celtic band tattoo on left upper arm, tattoos on his left and right hands with words in Arabic, tattoo on his right arm of a dragon, tattoo on his back with rose and the names Louise, John and Jordan. Tattoo on his chest with writing in Thai and a tattoo with a picture of a pitbull’s head and the words “only the strong survive”.

7. Name: Darren Kevin OFLAHERTY – DOB: 06/08/1974 – Place of birth: Liverpool

Offences: O’FLAHERTY is wanted for two offences of conspiracy to kidnap and rob, whereby an HGV driver was held at knifepoint in the vehicle while it was driven from North Yorkshire to Liverpool. It is alleged that O’FLAHERTY was involved in kidnap after which, the cargo was unloaded, driver released and vehicle set alight. He has admitted in interview that he travelled to North Yorkshire on the date of the offence with the aim of stealing a wagon full of cigarettes, for which he was to be paid.  He also stated that he drove the wagon to North Yorkshire.

Description: Height 188cm, Stocky build, Green eyes, Marks – 4 inch scar on left wrist and tattoos on both arms (‘Ronan’ on left arm, ‘Darren’ on right arm and a Celtic band also on right arm).

8. Name: William Thomas Robert PATERSON / PATTERSON – Nickname: Buff / Billy – DOB: 10/09/1979 – Place of birth: Glasgow.

Offences: PATERSON is sought in connection with the murder of Kevin Carroll, also known as McCabe. Carroll was repeatedly shot in the car park of ASDA supermarket, Robroyston, Glasgow.

Description: Hair: Red, Height: 6”1, Eyes: Blue.

 

 

9. Name: Andrew Mark SPOONER – DOB: 16/12/1969 – Place of birth: Leicester

Offences: SPOONER is wanted for prosecution following failure to appear at Glasgow High Court for drugs (MDMA) offences on the 10^th September 2001. He had been arrested on the 24^th October 2000 in Edinburgh.

Description: Short straight brown hair, Height 6”00, Green eyes, Midlands accent.

 

 

 

10. Name: Everardus WIJTVLIET – DOB: 25/04/1971 – Place of birth: Netherlands

Offences: WIJTVLIET is accused of organising the importation of controlled substances into the UK. In 2009 under WIJTVLIET’S instruction, David LEWIS drove a lorry through Dover docks; within which was concealed, 100kg of a powder containing heroin and 6kg of a powder containing cocaine. LEWIS was arrested and charged with importing heroin and cocaine, with the case pending at Canterbury Crown Court. Metal objects have been found at WIJTVLIET’S residence in the Netherlands – very similar to those which concealed the drugs found at Dover.

Description: Short dark hair, Height – 185cm

Source: British Embassy press release (Madrid)