An Italian mafia fugitive has been found after 20 years on the run after being spotted on Google Maps in Spain.
Gioacchino Gammino, one of Italy’s most wanted mobsters, was handed a life sentence after being convicted of murder in 1989, before escaping prison in 2002.
Following his escape, he fled to a town north of Madrid and changed his name before opening a fruit and vegetable shop.
Despite his new identity, Italian police were hot on his tail after spotting him by chance on Google Street View standing outside a grocery shop named El Huerto de Manu, Manu’s Garden.
Gammino had since changed his name to Manuel.
Nearby where he was spotted, police found a listing for a restaurant named Cocina de Manu which had been closed for some time.
Despite the restaurant appearing to be closed, the establishment’s Facebook page was still active and showed photos of Gammino proudly posing in chef’s clothing, with the menu featuring a specialty Sicilian supper, with a design similar to the iconic poster for The Godfather film.
Police recognised the images of Gammino on Facebook thanks to a distinct scar on his chin.
He was arrested on December 17th, and was baffled at how authorities tracked him down.
He said after his capture, “How did you find me? I haven’t even phoned my family for the last 10 years.”
Gammino will now be returned to a jail in Italy were he will see out the remainder of his life sentence for murder.
Image credits: Google Maps
