John Rocks, 37, a fugitive who appeared on the UK's most-wanted list, was arrested by Spanish National Police in Madrid on August 1. Rocks, from Scotland, was wanted for several alleged sexual assaults committed between 2012 and 2022.
Investigation and arrest
An international arrest warrant was issued for Rocks in February. Spanish police said he was living a “nomadic life” and concealing his identity. The investigation began in 2024 after UK police reported the assaults, and officers initially searched for him in Alicante before evidence led them to Madrid.
A surveillance operation was carried out on a street in the centre of Madrid, where Rocks was located and arrested while wearing a cap and glasses to partially conceal his face.
Complex operation
Spanish police described the investigation as “particularly complex” due to the concealment measures taken by the wanted man. Officers made several trips to Benidorm and conducted numerous surveillance operations and on-site checks at places he frequented.
These efforts allowed investigators to establish patterns of behaviour, obtain clues about his possible location, and identify third parties who might have been assisting him.
Operation Captura milestone
Earlier this year, Rocks was included as one of 12 most-wanted fugitives believed to be hiding in Spain. The list also included Kevin Parle, 45, who has spent more than 20 years evading investigators over the killings of Lucy Hargreaves in 2005 and Liam Kelly in 2004 in Liverpool.
Rick Jones, NCA Deputy Director International, said: “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. 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.”
