Fugitive Terror Suspect Daniel Khalife Captured by Undercover Police
In a dramatic turn of events, Daniel Khalife, a 21-year-old former soldier and terror suspect, has been apprehended by undercover police. The incident unfolded this morning in west London, near the Grand Union Canal, and was captured on video by The Sun.
Khalife had made a daring escape from HMP Wandsworth last Wednesday, hiding beneath a food delivery van. His evasion led to a four-day police manhunt that finally concluded around 11 am today near the canal.
When the plain-clothes officers closed in on him, Khalife was found in possession of a bicycle, a sleeping bag, and a Waitrose grocery bag. Forensics officers soon arrived at the scene to gather evidence.
Ethan Andrews, a 22-year-old student from Bath University who happened to be passing by, witnessed the arrest. He described the scene, saying, “I was crossing over the bridge and saw this man with cable ties around his hands. One of the cops said, ‘We’re undercover officers.’ The guy had been on a bike and had a sleeping bag – he seemed to have a change of clothes.”
The Metropolitan Police later confirmed Khalife’s capture, stating, “Metropolitan Police officers have arrested Daniel Khalife, who escaped from HMP Wandsworth on Wednesday 6 September. Officers apprehended him just before 11 am today, in the Chiswick area, and he is currently in police custody.”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak expressed his satisfaction with Khalife’s arrest, thanking both the police and the public for their efforts in locating him.
Khalife’s escape had occurred as he concealed himself under a food delivery truck while working in the prison kitchen. He managed to flee while wearing a chef’s uniform, consisting of a white T-shirt, red and white checkered trousers, and brown steel-toe-cap boots. Reports suggest he used makeshift straps to attach himself to the departing truck.
To aid in his capture, Scotland Yard had offered a £20,000 reward for information leading to Khalife’s whereabouts. His evasion had caused travel disruptions at ports and airports due to increased security checks.
A witness had reported seeing a man resembling Khalife walking away from a BidFood delivery van near the Wandsworth roundabout, ultimately heading towards Wandsworth town center.
Commander Dominic Murphy, who leads the Met’s counter-terrorism command, issued a plea to Khalife, saying, “My message to him is to hand yourself in, either call us or go to a local police station and hand yourself in.”
Khalife, a former member of the Royal Signal Corps, faces charges related to planting fake bombs at a UK military base and collecting sensitive troop information under the Official Secrets Act. He was scheduled to stand trial on November 20 while being held on remand at Wandsworth prison.
The escape had prompted a probe into the prison, as announced by Justice Secretary Alex Chalk in the House of Commons. Khalife’s capture marks a significant development in this ongoing case.