Friday, November 14, 2008

Early success

Two Britons wanted on fraud charges in the UK have been arrested in Spain within 24 hours of being featured in a special Crimestoppers campaign to catch on-the-run criminals.

Anthony Kearney, 43, and his 41-year-old partner, Donna McCafferty, both from Scotland, were arrested in Alicante on Thursday. Ms McCafferty, who was using one of her aliases, Elizabeth McAndrew, is suspected of benefit fraud while Mr Kearney is accused of several fraud offences between 1999 and 2004.

The Guardia Civil say the two were picked up following an anonymous phone call. They will receive fast-track extradition to Scotland, where they are wanted by Strathclyde police.

The arrests came just a day after Crimestoppers and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) launched Operation Captura to track down 10 criminal suspects thought to be hiding out in Spain. The list includes fugitives wanted for murder, sex offences, drug trafficking and kidnap.

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