Thank goodness for a determined Brazilian woman
Stuff reported:
The Brazilian woman who spotted Kiwi fugitive Philip Smith at a Rio hostel says she had a hard time persuading local police to take any interest.
The woman, whose identity is protected, spoke to Seven Sharp on TV ONE.
She was working at the hostel when Smith checked in.
He had fled New Zealand for South America while on temporary release from prison, where he was serving a lengthy jail term for charges including murder.
The woman said she realised later that the man was Smith, after reading a small article about him.
“I was like oh that is the guy who was here.”
She revealed she had a hard time convincing authorities to act, after first spotting the fugitive.
“I went to police station close to the house. [They] said no, not our area so can talk later. But next day guy could escape, so think ‘what can I do?'”
What she did was take a photo of Smith and send it to Brazil’s federal police – who said it wasn’t their area either
Eventually she contacted Interpol, who arrived and arrested Smith as soon as they could.
Amazing. She tried the local police, and also the federal police, and they both did nothing. Most people would give up, but thankfully she went to Interpol, who did them arrange the arrest.
We owe her our thanks.
The woman was invited to visit New Zealand after a campaign by lawyer John Fitchett.
“When the news came that someone in Rio had recognised the photo I thought that’s so rare in a big city, and I thought New Zealand should say thank you,” he said.
She said she hoped Smith spent the rest of life in prison.
“To do something to a child is a most horrible crime. I have two nephews and they are the love of my life.”
The woman and her mother are due to spend two weeks travelling around New Zealand before she will be awarded with a certificate of appreciation from police.
Nelson lawyer Fitchett paid for the pair’s flights as a token of thanks for identifying the escaped murderer and paedophile.
Good move by Mr Fitchett.