Categories: World

Mafia boss in hiding busted after he’s spotted celebrating soccer team win

close Video

Vincenzo La Porta, one of Italy’s most dangerous fugitives was caught after being spotted in pic celebrating Napoli title win

Vincenzo La Porta has been captured after 11 years – after watching a Napoli match in a Greek restaurant. La Porta was snapped in Corfu celebrating on a balcony after his hometown team won the Serie A championship a few weeks ago. (Credit: Reuters)

Italian mob boss Vincenzo La Porta was arrested in Greece over the weekend after police spotted him in a photo celebrating Napoli’s win in the Serie A professional soccer championship several weeks ago. 

La Porta has been on the run for 11 years and linked to a dangerous organized crime group known as the Camorra. 

As reported by Sky News, La Porta was snapped in Corfu Island in Greece celebrating on a balcony after his hometown team won a soccer championship. After investigators spotted him they headed to the Greek island to tail the 60-year-old fugitive.

Officers managed to take him into custody after blocking him going down a street on his motor scooter, Sky News reported.

TWO DEAD AS ITALIAN CREWS RESCUE DOZENS OF MIGRANTS FROM MULTIPLE SHIPWRECKS OFF COUNTRY’S SOUTHERN COAST

Vincenzo La Porta seen celebrating Napoli’s Serie A championship. (Reuters)

He was captured near the restaurant where he had reportedly been working as a chef. His lawyer said he has started a new family in Greece and does not want to be extradited.

“Betraying him was his passion for soccer and for the Napoli team,” police said in a statement. “With the championship victory, La Porta couldn’t resist celebrating.”

La Porta was wanted on convictions of criminal association, tax evasion and fraud. Appearing before a prosecutor on Saturday, he was ordered to be held in prison until a panel of appeal court judges rules on an extradition request from Italy.

Italian authorities want him to be flown back so he can serve a 14-year prison sentence, but his lawyer told Sky News LaPorta does not want to be extradited so he can stay in Greece with his new family. 

ITALIAN PM GIORGIA MELONI SUING PLACEBO SINGER BRIAN MOLKO FOR CALLING HER A ‘FASCIST’

La Porta was wanted on convictions of criminal association, tax evasion and fraud. (Reuters)

“He was sentenced long ago for tax offenses,” Athanassios Giannakouris said.

“He has started a new family in Greece… he has a 9-year-old boy and is working as a cook to get by. He suffers from heart ailments. If he’s extradited, he and his family will be ruined,” he told Sky News.

‘IMPROVISED AND ATROCIOUS’: ITALY LOOKS TO LEAVE CHINA DEAL, REVERSING DECISION OF PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT

Police in Italy had reportedly been monitoring La Porta’s activity for months. (Reuters)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Police in Italy had reportedly been monitoring La Porta’s activity for months, waiting for him to make a false move that would give them insight into his whereabouts.

Fox News Digital’s Haley Chi-Sing contributed to this report.  

Brianna Herlihy is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.

Share

Recent Posts

Israel moves towards ceasefire deal with Hezbollah: reports

close Video Israeli PM Netanyahu pushes back on ICC charges Fox News senior foreign affairs…

4 hours ago

Ukraine to analyze fragments of missile fired by Russia capable of carrying nuclear warheads

close Video Russia sparks nuclear fears following missile test Fox News senior foreign affairs correspondent…

4 hours ago

Bishop T.D. Jakes suffers health incident after ‘powerful’ sermon during Sunday service

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for November 24 Fox News Flash top headlines…

4 hours ago

Illegal immigrant with extensive criminal history arrested for attempted rape days after release from jail

close Video If you are an illegal immigrant, you better have ‘eyes in the back…

4 hours ago

Mississippi teacher fired after allegedly feeding students dog treats mistaken for beef jerky

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for November 24 Fox News Flash top headlines…

4 hours ago

Stanford prof accused of using AI to fake testimony in Minnesota case against conservative YouTuber

A Stanford University "misinformation expert" has been accused of using artificial intelligence (AI) to craft…

6 hours ago