Sicilian Mafia Boss Arrested in Spain After Escaping Prison for 20 Years, Found Using Google Maps

Sicilian mafia boss Gioacchino Gammino , 61, who was considered one of Italy's most wanted criminals, was found using Google Maps, La Repubblica reported.

Gammino was arrested in Galapagar, Spain, 33 kilometers from Madrid, on December 17, but details of the case have only become known now. "How did you find me? I haven't even called my family for the last 10 years," the mafia boss said upon his arrest.

As the investigators explained, a key role in catching Gammino was played by a photo in the Google Street View service, which allows viewing panoramic views of the streets of different cities around the world. In one of the panoramas, a man in a chef's outfit was spotted standing near the fruit shop El huerto de Manu (Manu's Garden).

Police thought he looked like Gammino, and later found confirmation on the Facebook page of La cocina de Manu, a restaurant located near the store. The establishment posted a photo of the same man dressed as a chef and with a scar on his chin. Investigators used this to identify Gammino.

It turned out that the mafia boss had been living in Spain for several years under the name Manuel. At the same time, his restaurant had several hints about his connection with the mafia, La Repubblica notes. In particular, they served a "Sicilian dinner". The restaurant itself, as well as a grocery store located nearby, could have been a cover for illegal activity, investigators suspect.

Gammino is currently under arrest in Spain. Investigators expect him to be delivered to Italy by the end of February.

Cover photo: Google Maps screenshot