Foul Escape for Italian Mafia Boss

Tipped Off by Video Cameras

Italian news programs aired video of Setola's hideaway, filmed after his escape that showed a bedroom furnished with a double bed and a wardrobe and another single bed in the kitchen. Police were seen shining flashlights down the trap door into the sewer, and a number of uniformed policemen were shown rather dejectedly on guard or searching the messy rooms in the house.

The humble home, however, was reportedly fitted with at least two-closed-circuit TV cameras on the outside walls, which were monitored in the kitchen and might have tipped off Setola to the police's imminent arrival.

The prefect of Naples, Alessandro Pansa, a long-time investigator of organized crime in Italy, told reporters today that "the police forces commitment to capture dangerous criminals is unquestionable. ... The capture of fugitives is a bit like a game of roulette: Sooner or later the winning number will be the one."

Monday, one of the magistrates on the Setola case received an envelope containing five bullets accompanied by an anonymous threatening letter, according to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. It was mailed from Marcianise, which is in the Casalesi-controlled territory.