Brazilian businessman wanted for homicide in São Manuel since 1987 found in Paraguay
Brazilian businessman, aged 68, convicted in absentia to 14 years in prison, was identified after brandishing a pistol during a traffic row in Asunción.
Fugitive businessman located in Paraguay 39 years later after armed incident
A 68-year-old Brazilian businessman, who has been a fugitive from São Paulo justice for nearly four decades following a murder conviction, was located in Paraguay after becoming involved in a traffic altercation in Asunción. The information was published by g1.globo.com.
Luciano Pampado Casquel had been living in the neighbouring country under the false identity of "Luciano Pereira Castelo". He is wanted for the killing of a 19-year-old youth that occurred in October 1987 in São Manuel, in the interior of São Paulo.
Traffic row exposes false identity
The fugitive's whereabouts came to light following a traffic altercation recorded on 28 August in the Mbocayaty neighbourhood in Asunción. According to local media, Casquel was driving a pickup truck when he had a dispute with a 33-year-old concrete truck driver over right of way.
Pedestrians filmed the moment when the Brazilian pointed a pistol at the truck driver during the argument. The images circulated on social media and reached Paraguayan authorities.
Paraguay's police located the businessman's residence in the city of Lambaré on Tuesday, 1 September. At the location, he handed over two pistols — one of them, a 9mm calibre weapon, reportedly used in the threat. On Wednesday (2), officers also seized the suspect's pickup truck.
Casquel gave a statement to the Paraguayan Public Ministry regarding the threats, but was released by the local prosecutor's office. It was during routine verifications that Asunción's Investigation Police discovered his true identity and found an outstanding arrest warrant in Brazil for qualified murder.
Convicted in absentia 26 years after the crime
The murder attributed to the businessman occurred in October 1987 in São Manuel. The victim was 19 years old. Since then, Casquel remained a fugitive from Brazilian justice for nearly four decades.
In October 2013, the jury court of São Manuel tried the case. Because he was a fugitive, the defendant was tried in absentia — at the time, the case was considered the oldest ongoing proceeding in the district. The jury found Luciano Casquel guilty and sentenced him to 14 years in prison under a closed regime for qualified murder.
Interpol activated for extradition
São Paulo's Civil Police confirmed the suspect's location. The sectional delegate of Botucatu, Lourenço Talamonte, reported that he has already contacted Interpol to facilitate Casquel's capture and extradition to Brazil.
Source: Google News BR — São Paulo