This is the moment a wanted fugitive known as the ‘man of a thousand names’ was captured in Spain.
Police arrested Julio Alexander Bernales, 52, in Madrid on an international warrant issued by Interpol.
Bernales, an alleged leader of the ‘Los Terribles de 17’ gang, is accused of explosives offences in his home country of Peru.
The investigation began last August following a request from Peruvian authorities, who believed Bernales could be hiding in Spain.
The suspect had suffered a serious physical disability and mobility problems after a violent confrontation with a rival mafia, leaving him forced to use a motorised wheelchair.
Officers managed to locate and arrest him in Madrid after several months of enquiries.
Police say the man was fully aware of the international warrant against him and had taken extensive measures to avoid detection.
He is said to have deliberately damaged or erased his fingertips and used a stolen identity belonging to another person.
Escape from maximum-security prison
The fugitive is said to have taken part in a mass prison break in 2012 from Challapalca, a maximum-security centre in Peru.
In October 2024, he was arrested again in Peru and allegedly found in possession of an explosive device and 9mm ammunition. Authorities there also suspected him of links to extortion and contract killing.
However, he managed to evade justice once more, fleeing Peru and eventually arriving in Spain.
Survives hitmen ambush
In October 2021, Bernales was shot six times in his back and legs.
It happened in Los Olivos, Peru and he was in the back of a vehicle when he was ambushed by hitmen.
Upon arriving at the hospital minutes later, he gave a false identity: Elver Carreño Rodriguez – a Uruguayan, living in Peru as an immigrant worker.
But the deception was uncovered by police officers. It was one of his six fraudulent identities.
Joint operation
The arrest in Madrid was carried out jointly by officers from the General Information Commissariat, the General Judicial Police Commissariat and the Provincial Information Brigade of Cordoba.
Extradition proceedings are now expected to follow as Spanish authorities process the international request from Peru.
