A REDDITCH criminal who was one of Britain’s most wanted men, has been caught while in Lisbon, Portugal.
Paul Buchanan was one of those hunted by Operation Captura – a campaign by Crimestoppers and the National Crime Agency (NCA) to track down fugitive criminals hiding among ex-pat communities in Spain.
The 29-year-old, who is wanted on suspicion of attempted rape, was stopped at Gare do Oriente train station with no ticket or identification.
After being questioned by police, Buchanan told officers his real name and they were then able to match him to his photo.
Dave Allen, head of the UK International Crime Bureau at the National Crime Agency, said: “The arrest of Paul Buchanan is the second success for Operation Captura this month.
“Recent work to publicise the outstanding subjects has brought the campaign to the attention of ex-pats and holiday makers alike, and continues to make life uncomfortable for fugitives looking to evade justice by fleeing abroad.”
Buchanan, originally from New York, is believed to have followed a woman near his flat in Redditch, pulled her down a driveway, pushed her over a car, and attempted to rape her.
The victim screamed which alerted the residents of a nearby house who came to her aid. Buchanan fled the scene.
Lord Ashcroft, KCMG PC, founder and chair of Crimestoppers, said: “It is fantastic to hear that there has been another arrest so soon after Anthony Dennis’ capture.
“The list of fugitives wanted as part of Operation Captura gets smaller all the time and we will not stop until all of them have been brought to justice.”
The fugitives listed under Operation Captura are wanted by UK law enforcement agencies in connection with crimes including rape, indecent assault of a child and drug trafficking.
Buchanan was due to appear in court in Lisbon on Saturday (August 15).
