Terror Suspect Daniel Khalife Captured After Daring Escape
After four days on the run, Daniel Khalife, a 21-year-old terror suspect, has been apprehended by the police. Khalife had managed to escape from HMP Wandsworth by hiding under a food delivery van. A massive manhunt ensued, involving security checks at UK airports and ports, eventually leading to his capture in Northolt, west London.
In an official statement, Scotland Yard confirmed Khalife’s arrest: “Metropolitan Police officers have arrested Daniel Khalife, who escaped from HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday, September 6. Officers apprehended him just before 11 am today, in the Chiswick area, and he is currently in police custody. We would like to thank the public and media for their support throughout our investigation to locate Khalife, and we will provide a further update on his arrest in due course.”
Khalife’s escape occurred during his work in the prison kitchen on a Wednesday morning. He made his getaway dressed as a chef, wearing a white T-shirt, red and white checkered trousers, and brown steel-toed boots. He used makeshift straps to attach himself to the delivery truck as it left the prison premises.
In response to his escape, the Metropolitan Police offered a £20,000 reward for information and reported a sighting of Khalife shortly after he left the prison. A member of the public observed a man resembling the suspect walking away from the BidFood delivery van near the Wandsworth roundabout, heading toward Wandsworth town center.
Commander Dominic Murphy, who leads the Met’s counter-terrorism command, urged Khalife to surrender, stating, “My message to him is to hand yourself in, either call us or go to a local police station and give yourself up. With the reward we are offering today and the amazing support we have had from the public and the media, we will be closing in on you, Daniel, you really need to come in and give yourself up.”
Khalife, accused of planting fake bombs at a UK military base and collecting personal information about soldiers under the Official Secrets Act, had previously attempted to escape custody. Justice Secretary Alex Chalk announced a probe into the prison, and an independent investigation is set to take place in the future. Khalife, a former member of the Royal Signal Corps, was discharged and was due to stand trial on November 20 for the charges against him.