Wanted Offender Captured in France

A long-elusive Polish sex offender, wanted since 2008, was finally apprehended in La Cavalerie, southern France, on January 26, 2026, following a tip from the EU Most Wanted website. This arrest was announced by Europol in a recent press release.

The fugitive’s capture was the result of collaborative efforts between various European law enforcement agencies, including the Polish national FAST team, the European Network of Fugitive Active Search Teams (ENFAST), and French police authorities. The operation was spearheaded by a public appeal on the EU Most Wanted platform, which recently highlighted the individual as a high-priority fugitive.

The EU Most Wanted website, an initiative supported by ENFAST and backed by Europol, plays a crucial role in engaging the public to assist in locating Europe’s most dangerous criminals. The campaign encouraging public participation has seen significant success, drawing nearly 200,000 visitors to the site. It was an anonymous tip from this platform that led to the pivotal breakthrough in this case. Following the tip, the suspect’s presence in France was confirmed and swiftly acted upon, leading to his arrest.

Currently, the suspect is awaiting extradition to Poland where he will face charges for his alleged crimes. Europol continues to encourage the public to visit the EU Most Wanted website and contribute any information they might have, emphasizing that even minor details can be instrumental in the pursuit of justice.