On the Run For 16 Years, Arrested At The Olympics: Fugitive’s Winter Games Trip Ends In Jail

Last Updated:February 13, 2026, 11:56 IST

A Slovak national wanted for 16 years over shop thefts was arrested in Milan after returning to follow Slovakia’s ice hockey team at the Winter Olympics.

A 44-year-old Slovak national who had been on Italy’s wanted list for 16 years was arrested in Milan on Wednesday evening, according to a statement from the Carabinieri police force.

Italian prosecutors had issued a warrant for the man back in 2010 over a series of shop thefts. He had managed to evade authorities ever since — until this week.

Despite being on the run, the man returned to Italy to follow Slovakia’s national ice hockey team at the Winter Olympics.

Police tracked him down after he checked into a guesthouse on the outskirts of Milan. Acting on the long-standing warrant, officers arrested him and transferred him to the city’s central San Vittore prison.

He had planned to attend Slovakia’s opening game on Wednesday, a group-stage clash against Finland at Milan’s Santagiulia Arena.

Instead, he began serving the remainder of his sentence: 11 months and seven days.

16 Years on the Run Ends at the Games

According to the Carabinieri, the charges relate to multiple shop thefts committed in 2010. The outstanding prison term had remained enforceable, and authorities acted as soon as they confirmed his presence in the city.

The timing was striking. Slovakia went on to defeat Finland 4-1 in their opening game at the Milano Cortina Winter Games, a match the fugitive had hoped to watch in person.

He had effectively evaded arrest for more than a decade and a half. But returning to Italy during one of its most heavily policed international events proved risky.

The 2026 Winter Olympics may have been meant as a sporting getaway. Instead, they marked the end of a 16-year run from Italian justice.

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