FUGITIVE wanted for four robberies in Derbyshire now thought to be living in Spain is still being hunted by crime-fighters.
Police issued a photograph of Daniel Paul Johnston, 27, in January, along with an appeal for information from the public.
But Johnston, who is originally from Matlock and is wanted for four robberies at off-licences in Derbyshire, remains on the run and is still believed to be in the Costa Del Sol.As part of Operation Captura – a scheme launched by the Serious Organised Crime Agency, Crimestoppers and the Spanish authorities – Johnston was named on a list of 20 fugitives police wanted to trace.
An agency spokesman said: "We are still making efforts to trace this man and continue to work with colleagues to do so. There are indications that he went to Spain and we believe he is still living there.
"While we cannot talk about the specifics of investigations, we can say that work with the relevant authorities in Spain is on-going."
Johnston is thought to have committed two robberies in September, 2004, and one in January, 2005, at Bargain Booze, in Limetree Avenue, Midway.
Another, in October 2004, took place at Wellwood Road Stores, in Newhall.
A knife was brandished and cash stolen.
Operation Captura identifies people wanted by British police for crimes committed in the UK. To date, 14 fugitives have been brought to justice following 20 such appeals on the Crimestoppers' Most Wanted website.
The appeals ask members of the public, either in Spain or the UK, to contact the authorities to help trace suspected criminals.
SOCA co-ordinates the appeals and then processes a European arrest warrant, which is used to bring fugitives back to the UK.
The introduction of European arrest warrants came about in 2003 as part of the Extradition Act and is used to speed up the transfer of suspects from one country to another.The spokesman added: "We have had great success from the operation so far and we will do all we can to bring people to justice."
The Costa del Sol, in Andalucia, was given the nickname "Costa del Crime" over 20 years ago because of the number of suspected UK criminals thought to be living there.
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