Fugitive "El Potajito" Arrested in Tenerife After 12-Day Manhunt
Tenerife police have arrested fugitive Pedro Airam C.G., known as "El Potajito," following a 12-day manhunt that ended when he was spotted at a local sports center.
Police in Tenerife have arrested Pedro Airam C.G., known as "El Potajito," ending a 12-day manhunt after he failed to return to prison.
The 38-year-old had been on the run since March 8, when he did not return to the Daroca penitentiary in Zaragoza following a temporary leave. Authorities considered him a high priority due to his criminal history and the fact that he had removed his electronic monitoring device, violating a restraining order against his ex-partner.
The search concluded this Friday thanks to a tip from a member of the public, who spotted the fugitive working out at a sports center in Los Majuelos, La Laguna. An off-duty police officer confirmed his identity, leading to a tactical operation near Avenida El Paso. Although the suspect attempted to escape by jumping out of a window and fleeing on foot, officers caught and arrested him after a short chase.
This incident has reignited discussions regarding recidivism and the risks of granting temporary leave to inmates with long criminal records. Pedro Airam C.G. has been known to Canary Islands authorities for two decades, beginning with his repeated escapes from the Valle Tabares detention center as a youth. His extensive criminal history, primarily involving property crimes, highlights the ongoing challenges penitentiary systems face when managing inmates with a pattern of reoffending.