Fugitive arrested in nativity scene: he was pretending to be a statue

Galatone – An incredible scene worthy of a crime film unfolded in the heart of Puglia, where a fugitive of Ghanaian origin, wanted by the authorities, attempted a last-ditch effort to escape justice: hiding by blending in among the terracotta statues of the town's nativity scene.

The person who made the discovery and foiled the bizarre plan was none other than the mayor, Flavio Filoni.

The events date back to Saturday morning, when the mayor of Galatone was in Piazza Crocifisso in front of the evocative Nativity scene set up by the local Pro Loco. Among the shepherds and the Three Kings, Filoni noticed an out-of-place detail, a "presence" he initially mistook for an extra statue, but which upon closer inspection was less convincing.

"While I was standing in front of the Nativity scene, lovingly crafted by our Pro Loco," the mayor recounted on his Facebook page, "I noticed something I initially mistook for part of the scene. A detail that seemed innocuous, but which turned out to be crucial."

The man, a 38-year-old Ghanaian migrant, had taken refuge in the Grotto of the Nativity, remaining motionless in an attempt to blend in with the nativity scene figures. His goal was clearly to exploit the unusual hiding place to avoid detection by the police who were on his trail.

Thanks to the mayor's prompt action, the alarm was raised immediately. Local police, state police, and Carabinieri quickly arrived on the scene. The man, who was considered a fugitive and actively sought, was quickly located and identified.

Mayor Filoni concluded his report with a sincere thank you to the police for resolving the case. This was an unexpected epilogue for the Galatone Nativity scene, which offered a news story far more sensational than the ox and the donkey.