Dangerous criminal caught hiding in the mountains

Photo: Guardia Civil

CÁDIZ PROVINCE (Agencies) The Guardia Civil's Operación Camina has ended with the arrest of a man nicknamed 'El Lute', who had been hiding in the mountains in a remote place known as El Pontón, on Sierra Margarita, close to a trail that links El Bosque and Benamahoma, which is inaccessible and used very infrequently. The man had allegedly been accosting, threatening and robbing local shepherds and walkers with a hunting gun for some time. The operation took place on Saturday last, with over seventy agents combing the area. After months of work and investigation, El Lute was located in the area, though the GC had been warned that he had several hunting dogs trained to alert him of, and attacking, anyone in the area. Things were complicated by the fact that he knew the area very well indeed, and used caves to hide himself and the proceeds of his frequent robberies.>

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The man had been living with his 14 year old 'partner', with whom he was on the move frequently, in the knowledge that he was being sought. They lived in a couple of tents that were carried from hideout to hideout, together with other items and their animals.

When the GC finally caught up with him, he tried to escape by jumping  three meters into a stream, dragging  along two agents who had hold of him.

Among many items found in his possession were numerous machetes, axes and a hunting gun he had robbed in 2004, plus abundant munition. This as well as live animals and their various harnesses, allegedly stolen from local herders and travellers. He also had a plantation of 23 marijuana plants, which he used as currency, according to reports.

Antonio Manuel Sánchez Corral (photo), 40, is also identified as the alleged masked robber of a petrol station in El Bosque in January this year, where he supposedly struck the employee with a rifle, and shot into the air several times to cover his escape.

In September 2009 he threatened two forestry agents with death when they found him with the results of illicit hunting. In December 2010 he threatened a walker with a large knife merely for having crossed his path.

A number of other reports have been taken by the GC in the area, from local residentswho were too afraid of making an official reports for fear of reprisals from this highly violent individual.

He is now in prison awaiting a court hearing and accused of a long list of crimes.