One of UK’s most wanted men arrested on the Costa Del Sol

Mark Francis Roberts wanted on suspicion of trying to steal £60k watch

(NCA)

One of the UK’s most wanted men has been arrested in Spain over a stabbing and attempted robbery committed back in 2016.

Mark Francis Roberts was caught by officials in Malaga on Wednesday after the 29-year-old from Liverpool was tracked in a covert operation.

Roberts was wanted in connection to an incident where two knife-wielding men attacked a victim in his own driveway and tried to grab his £60,000 watch.

Police said the victim was stabbed in the early hours of September 30, 2016, when he refused to hand over his Richard Mille and was left with a collapsed lung. It is thought the attack happened in the Merseyside area.

Mark Francis Roberts had been hiding out in Malaga (NCA)

The National Crime Agency, Merseyside Police and Spain’s Guardia Civil worked together to cuff Roberts who is now awaiting extradition.

Steve Reynolds, NCA regional manager in Spain, said: “Roberts’s arrest came about after a sustained campaign to trace him and some great work by the Guardia Civil.

“This is another excellent result and shows once again that UK law enforcement does not give up on finding those who await justice in the UK.

“Working closely with our colleagues at home and abroad, such as our highly valued Spanish partners, we will continue to hunt those on the run.”

Roberts featured in a most wanted campaign run by the NCA, independent charity Crimestoppers and Spanish law enforcement which targeted fugitives with links to Spain and the Canary Islands.

He is the eighth fugitive to be arrested from the campaign – six men remain on the run.

The NCA has been asked about the status of the other man involved in the suspected stabbing.

Detective Inspector Katie Coote of Merseyside Police said: “I hope this arrest shows that there is no hiding place for anyone who is evading police.

“Thanks to our ongoing work with National Crime Agency Roberts has been located and is now in police custody.”