Another Costa fugitive is caught in Spain

[30 July 2008]

Crimestoppers is pleased to report that the Costa fugitive, Robert Andrew Spiers, wanted in connection with a shooting in a UK public house, has been arrested in Spain after being on the run for two years.

Corroborating information from tip-offs to the crime-fighting charity assisted the investigation, carried out by Great Manchester Police.

This latest arrest under the Operation Captura campaign brings the total of arrests to twelve from thirty appeals which have appeared on the Most Wanted section of the Crimestoppers' website since launching in the autumn of 2006.

At 2.20pm on Sunday 12 March 2006 Carlton Alveranga and Richard Austin, were shot dead after a botched assassination attempt at the Brass Handles Pub on Edgehill Close in Salford. Two individuals were both found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder on 21 March 2007 and are both serving life sentences.

Spiers was arrested under a European Arrest warrant and is currently in custody in Spain awaiting formal extradition.

Operation Captura identifies serious criminals wanted by UK law enforcement agencies for crimes committed in the UK. Crimestoppers and the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) work closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff in Madrid, British and Spanish law enforcement. The campaign highlights appeals for information on criminals who have European Arrest warrants issued for them for crimes such as drug trafficking, murder and currency counterfeiting. Information given to Crimestoppers can help locate these criminals so that arrests can be carried out.

All information that Crimestoppers receives remains completely anonymous. Calls are not traced or recorded and no names and addresses are taken.

For press enquiries contact

Hannah Daws
Head of Communications
Tel: 020 8254 3230
Mobile: 07900 694 904

Notes to editors

• Crimestoppers is an independent charity dedicated to solving crimes and taking criminals off the streets. Around 17 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. One person every five days is charged with murder.
• Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received a million actionable calls, resulting in over 86,000 arrests and charges. Over £100 million worth of property has been recovered and over £150 million worth of drugs.
• Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Chairman of Trustees. In 1988, he launched Crimestoppers in the Metropolitan Police area. Crimestoppers is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.