John Rocks of the UK’s Most Wanted list has been arrested after the fugitive hid out in Benidorm in an attempt to evade justice after a string of sex offences
One of Britain’s Most Wanted fugitives has been has tracked down and hauled out of a bar after the man had been “hiding out in Benidorm” in an attempt to escape justice.
Suspected sex offender John Rocks, 37, was recently added to the National Crime Agency’s Most Wanted list. Rocks’ was arrested earlier this week on Sunday August 1 at bar in Madrid – after a failed manhunt to find the man was launched in the British tourist hotspot.
The arrest came after a two years long investigation which initially pinpointed the fugitive’s whereabouts in Benidorm. The investigation uncovered Rocks led a nomadic life in order to keep his identity hidden.
Rocks had been hiding out on the Costa Blanca in an attempt to escape justice for various sex offences he allegedly committed between 2012 and 2022.
Rocks was recently placed on the National Crime Agency’s Most Wanted list, as police published his photo next to the caption: “Do you know where John Rocks is?”
Footage of Rock’s arrest has been shared by the Spanish police force. Referring to John Rocks by his initials alone, Spain‘s police force stated: “National Police officers have arrested J.R., 37, in Madrid, who was wanted by the British authorities for several sexual assault offences.
“The detainee had fled justice in his home country and was the subject of an active International Arrest Warrant issued by the British authorities.”
“He appeared in the campaign ‘The UK’s Most Wanted Fugitives,’ launched by the organisation CrimeStoppers.”
The police force added: “The alleged perpetrator, a British national, was believed to be hiding in Spain.
“The acts investigated by British officers involved serious sexual assaults against various victims, some of whom were in a romantic relationship with the suspect at the time of the incidents.
“The efforts to locate the target included several trips to Benidorm, as well as numerous surveillance operations and on-site checks at places he was known to frequent. These actions made it possible to establish behaviour patterns, obtain clues about his possible whereabouts, and identify third parties who might have been helping him.
“The investigation proved especially complex due to the concealment measures adopted by the wanted man.”
Sharing more details surrounding the arrest the police force stated: “During the operation, officers finally located the target, who was wearing a cap and glasses to partially conceal his face, and he was arrested. The detainee did not cooperate during the identification process, was not carrying any identification documents, and provided different personal details.
“However, an initial comparison of his visible tattoos made it possible to determine that he was the wanted individual. His identity was later confirmed through fingerprint analysis. The arrested man was brought before the Investigating Section of the Central Court of First Instance, Courtroom 3 in Madrid, pending a decision on his extradition.”
Rick Jones, the Deputy Director International at the National Crime Agency has praised the arrest.
Jones stated: “This arrest marks the 101st arrest in Operation Captura, a multi-agency campaign aimed at tracking down the UK’s most wanted individuals in Spain.”
The NCA’s Deputy Director International added: “I pay tribute to the excellent work of our colleagues in the Spanish National Police who made this possible. Working with them, and other law enforcement partners, we are determined to do all we can to ensure fugitives are returned to face the courts.”
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