Mayor Spots Fugitive Hiding in Nativity Scene
When Galatone Mayor Flavio Filoni took his usual stroll past the town's life-size nativity scene on December 6, he expected the familiar comfort of a cherished Christmas tradition. What he didn't expect was to spot a man — not a statue — blending in with the holiday display, a discovery that would end a fugitive's run and highlight the power of community vigilance and law enforcement cooperation.
A Christmas Tradition Turns Into a Hiding Spot
In the small southern Italian town of Galatone, the nativity scene in Piazza Santissimo Crocifisso is a beloved seasonal fixture. Crafted with care by the local Pro Loco tourism office, the display features life-size statues of Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus, and shepherds, recreating the iconic scene of Christ's birth. It's a place where locals and visitors alike pause to reflect on the holiday spirit.
On this particular day, Mayor Filoni noticed something unusual. Among the familiar figures, there appeared to be an extra shepherd — one that seemed oddly lifelike. At first, the mayor reportedly thought it was a new addition to the display, perhaps a recent artistic touch. But then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the figure move. What he had assumed was a statue was actually a 38-year-old man from Ghana, standing amid hay bales with his arms raised, trying to mimic the stillness of the other figures.
The Fugitive's Flight and Unusual Choice of Refuge
The man had been on the run after receiving a nine-month and 15-day prison sentence in Bologna for resisting a public official and aggravated assault. Instead of surrendering to authorities, he disappeared, evading capture for weeks. His choice to hide in Galatone's nativity scene was as bizarre as it was bold.
According to reports, the man was discovered after Mayor Filoni's keen observation. The mayor approached and asked if the man was okay, to which the fugitive reportedly replied that he wanted to sleep there. When police arrived, the man attempted to enter a nearby church and remove his clothes, appearing to be in distress, as reported by The Times.
The swift response from local police, state police, and the Carabinieri led to the man's identification and arrest. He was taken into custody and is now serving his sentence in Lecce, a nearby city.
Civic Vigilance and Community Cooperation
This unusual episode underscores the importance of community awareness and cooperation with law enforcement. Mayor Filoni praised the efforts of the police forces involved, emphasizing how the community's attentiveness helped bring the fugitive's flight to an end. He wrote on his Facebook "Galatone is a community that observes, collaborates and cares: this is how you build security, together," as reported by PEOPLE. The mayor's attentiveness to the nativity scene — a symbol of peace and tradition — ironically became the key to solving a local manhunt.
A Story That Captures the Imagination
The image of a man hiding in a nativity scene, posing as a shepherd, is both surreal and compelling. It's a reminder that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. The fugitive's attempt to blend into a festive display, hoping to avoid detection, was foiled by a mayor's sharp eye and a community's commitment to safety.
References: Wanted Fugitive Hid Out in Town's Nativity Scene. Then The Mayor Spotted Him | Migrants on the run found hiding out in nativity scene | Bizarre moment migrant fugitive is pretending to be statue in nativity scene
