MADRID – Agents from the Policía Nacional, with the assistance of the Policía Municipal, have arrested one of the fugitives on Spain’s most wanted list in Madrid.
The fugitive was convicted of murder and illegal possession of firearms and was serving a 24-year prison sentence for his role in the assassination of a known Colombian cartel member’s associate. He had been on the run since September 2023 after failing to return to prison following a temporary release.
Details of the crime
In 2009, the fugitive, Jonathan Montoya Rendón, along with two other men, entered the Hospital 12 de Octubre in Madrid. Acting on orders, they killed the associate of a prominent Colombian cartel leader. The victim, who was hospitalised with a lung condition, was shot four times with a silenced pistol. Montoya Rendón was sentenced to 24 years in prison for murder and illegal possession of weapons.
Operation “Pólvora”
The search for Montoya Rendón began in 2023 under Operation “Pólvora”. This initiative focused on locating and arresting individuals convicted of crimes involving firearms, ammunition, or explosives. After exhausting all leads, the authorities requested public assistance and included Montoya Rendón in the national campaign of “The 10 Most Wanted Fugitives in Spain.”
Public assistance and media campaign
Over a week ago, InSpain.news reported on the police’s call for public assistance to capture several dangerous fugitives, including Montoya Rendón. The campaign was widely disseminated through various media channels and the Policía Nacional’s social media, garnering four million views. The extensive media coverage created significant pressure on Montoya Rendón, leading him to contact the authorities to surrender.
Surrender and arrest
Montoya Rendón surrendered at the Canillas Police Complex, where he was arrested by agents from the Policía Nacional and the Policía Municipal de Madrid. The successful arrest highlights the effectiveness of public assistance and media campaigns in apprehending dangerous criminals.