A man in Wales recently made a startling discovery that he had sold his rural home to a man on the FBI’s most wanted list. Daniel Andreas San Diego, aged 46, was arrested in Maenan, Conwy, following his connection to bombings in the US. San Diego had used the alias Danny Webb when he purchased the property near Llanrwst, Conwy, for £425,000 in August 2023.
Aled Evans, the seller, shared that San Diego seemed enthusiastic about the property due to the large woodland at the back, which catered to his love for mountain biking. The idyllic location, not far from Conwy and situated off the A470, offered a tranquil setting with picturesque views of the surrounding hills. The white villa property with a balcony was a perfect fit for San Diego’s interests.
Despite the serene surroundings, Evans found it strange that San Diego did not seem bothered by the incomplete repairs in the summer house on the property. San Diego, described as reserved but amiable, mentioned that his move to Wales was driven by his IT work. Evans recalled the day of San Diego’s viewing, where he spent considerable time admiring the view from the balcony.
Upon San Diego’s move-in day, Evans only saw him briefly for about 20 minutes. San Diego appeared calm and unhurried, giving no cause for concern. The neighbours never encountered San Diego during his stay at the property. The revelation of San Diego’s real identity and his subsequent arrest left Evans in disbelief, considering the property had seemed like a perfect hideaway for the fugitive.
The FBI has classified San Diego as an “animal rights extremist” responsible for bombings in San Francisco. The attacks, dating back to 2003, targeted a biotech company with two blasts and a nutritional products firm with a nail bomb. Following his arrest in Wales, San Diego faced extradition to the US to face charges related to the bombings.
The National Crime Agency, with support from Counter Terrorism Policing and local authorities, arrested San Diego in Conwy. The arrest marked the end of San Diego’s time as a fugitive on the FBI’s most wanted list. As extradition proceedings began, San Diego was remanded in custody, awaiting legal proceedings in Westminster Magistrates Court.
The case highlights a remarkable turn of events for Evans, who unwittingly sold his property to a high-profile fugitive. The peaceful countryside retreat that once appealed to San Diego as a secluded haven for his outdoor pursuits now stands as a reminder of the fugitive’s brief stay before his capture by law enforcement agencies.
The unforeseen connection between Evans and San Diego serves as a reminder of the unexpected twists that life can take and the unsuspecting encounters that individuals may have with those entangled in serious criminal activities. Despite the startling nature of the revelations, the incident underscores the importance of vigilance and thorough background checks in property transactions to prevent such scenarios from recurring.
As the legal process unfolds, with San Diego facing extradition and legal action for his alleged involvement in the bombings, the residents of Conwy and the surrounding areas can reflect on the unusual chapter that unfolded in their midst. The peaceful countryside of Wales, known for its tranquillity and natural beauty, briefly housed a fugitive wanted by international law enforcement before justice caught up with him, bringing a sense of closure to a perplexing episode in the region’s history.