Mark Roscaleer, a notorious British criminal, was finally apprehended on Spain’s Costa Blanca after five months on the run. The dramatic capture took place at a petrol station near Alicante, where undercover cops successfully cornered him and another fugitive, Rodolfo Lohrmann. The duo was found with two guns, fake documents, and over £40,000 in euros in their possession. Roscaleer, originally from Runcorn, Cheshire, had previously attempted a daring escape in 2019 by smothering himself in oil to slip through prison bars. This recent capture marks the end of a manhunt triggered by a prison breakout in Portugal last September.
The Manhunt and Capture
The hunt for Roscaleer and Lohrmann began after their escape from Vale de Judeus Prison in Alcoentre near Lisbon, where they scaled a 20ft wall with a ladder. This daring prison break was part of a larger plan that involved four other individuals. With the recapture of Roscaleer and Lohrmann, all five escapees are now back behind bars, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Portuguese and Spanish authorities. Authorities suspect that the fugitives were involved in criminal activities during their time on the run, including extortion and settling scores for a drug trafficking organization.
According to Spanish police chief Antonio Martinez Duarte, both Roscaleer and Lohrmann displayed violent resistance during their arrest. The head of Portugal’s Policia Judiciaria police, Luis Neves, expressed surprise at finding the two fugitives together and believed they were planning to commit robberies before fleeing to South America. The arrests were carried out after persistent and uninterrupted work by the authorities from both countries.
The Criminal Past
Roscaleer’s criminal history is marked by extreme violence and audacious escapes. In 2018, he was convicted of kidnapping and robbery after torturing a victim with a battery cable clamp in an abandoned house in the Algarve. The victim was subjected to cruel and degrading treatment to reveal the location of his cash. Roscaleer, along with an accomplice, was extradited from Spain following the incident. His previous convictions included aggravated burglary and possession of offensive weapons, leading to multiple jail terms and daring escape attempts.
Roscaleer’s recent capture was met with relief and satisfaction by justice officials in Portugal, with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa calling it “good news for justice.” The successful apprehension of all five escapees underscored the efficiency and trustworthiness of law enforcement agencies. Spanish police had issued public appeals for assistance from British holidaymakers to aid in tracking down Roscaleer, who was considered a dangerous fugitive. The quick resolution of the manhunt was a testament to the cooperation and diligence of the authorities involved.
In conclusion, the capture of Mark Roscaleer and Rodolfo Lohrmann in Spain brought closure to a months-long pursuit that spanned international borders. The relentless efforts of law enforcement teams from Portugal and Spain culminated in the successful arrest of these violent criminals, ensuring that justice was served. Roscaleer’s history of violent crimes and repeated escape attempts underscored the challenges faced by authorities in dealing with dangerous offenders. The collaborative approach adopted by the police forces involved in this operation exemplified the commitment to upholding law and order across borders.
