France’s most wanted fugitive, Redoine Faid, was captured Wednesday outside Paris six weeks after his brazen jail break in Lille. Authorities say Faid and an accomplice were taken into custody at a hotel in Pontault-Combault, an area about 12 miles east of central Paris. Interior Minister Manuel Valls said a "thorough and effective" investigation led to police finding Faid.
Faid’s accomplice has not been identified. Police say it appears the pair may have been planning a heist as weapons were found in their hotel room and vehicle. No other details were immediately available.
An international manhunt for Faid was launched on April 13 after he escaped Lille-Sequedin penitentiary. While holding four prison guards and one other person at gunpoint, Faid used explosives to break through 5 doors. He then escaped in a vehicle that was later found abandoned and on fire. The escape was described as well planned and sophisticated.
Faid was captured in 1998 after pulling off at least 8 armed robberies. He received a 30 year prison sentence, but was paroled in 2009. The following year he was involved in an armed robbery that left a young police officer dead. Faid was recaptured and sent back to prison in June 2011.
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