One of UK's 'most wanted' fugitives captured in Spain

One of the UK’s ‘Most Wanted’ fugitives has been arrested in Spain, according to the National Crime Agency.
One of the UK’s ‘Most Wanted’ fugitives has been arrested in Spain, according to the National Crime Agency.
Mark White

By Mark White


Published: 07/05/2022

- 11:17

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:32

David Ungi was arrested on Thursday night, along with three other men, as they arrived at a gym in Malaga

One of the UK’s ‘Most Wanted’ fugitives has been arrested in Spain, according to the National Crime Agency.

David Ungi, 30, from Liverpool, was being sought for his alleged role in the murder of 18-year-old Vinny Waddington in Liverpool in 2015.


He was arrested on Thursday night, along with three other men, as they arrived at a gym in Malaga.

The arrest formed part of a joint operation involving the Spanish authorities, the National Crime Agency, Merseyside Police and the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit.

One of the UK\u2019s \u2018Most Wanted\u2019 fugitives has been arrested in Spain, according to the National Crime Agency.
One of the UK’s ‘Most Wanted’ fugitives has been arrested in Spain, according to the National Crime Agency.

Authorities have confirmed that officers seized a 9mm Ruger firearm and ammunition from a rucksack.

Ungi is the third Most Wanted target captured in the space of a week.

Another murder suspect, Callum Halpin was caught in Portugal on Monday.

Alex Male, who was wanted on drugs charges, was arrested at Lisbon airport in Portugal last Saturday.

Extradition proceedings against David Ungi are now underway, after he appeared at court in Malaga on Friday and was remanded in custody.

Police said that Ungi left the UK less than 24 hours after Vinny Waddington was killed in 2015.

The teenager was shot at from a moving car and rammed off his motorbike in the Garston area of Liverpool.

One of the UK\u2019s \u2018Most Wanted\u2019 fugitives has been arrested in Spain, according to the National Crime Agency.
One of the UK’s ‘Most Wanted’ fugitives has been arrested in Spain, according to the National Crime Agency.

Two men were convicted of murder in 2016, but the third suspect, David Ungi was still at large.

Authorities said he was also being sought in connection with the supply of heroin in the Liverpool area.

Steve Reynolds, the National Crime Agency's regional manager in Spain said:

“Three of the UK’s Most Wanted fugitives being arrested in a week is a fantastic achievement.

“These arrests would not have been possible without close cooperation between police forces in the UK and our law enforcement colleagues in Spain and Portugal.

Lord Ashcroft, founder and chair of the charity Crimestoppers, hailed the success of the annual Most Wanted campaign, which the charity helps coordinate.

“Having this fugitive caught within days of two others is fantastic news." He said.

"It shows that the public, like us, want to protect our communities.

"It also proves how our joint Most Wanted campaign with the NCA to highlight those who are on the run is working successfully."

Lord Ashcroft appealed to the public in the UK and across Europe to contact Crimestoppers if they have any information on other Most Wanted fugitives, whose names and photographs are on the Crimestoppers website.

"If you know of someone who is on our list, please do the right thing and contact our charity. You'll stay 100% anonymous. Always.”

The NCA's Steve Reynolds added: "There are still a number of fugitives on our most wanted list, and they should know we will never give up and we’re never far behind them.”

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