Having a twin can have many advantages in your life, even if you are a criminal. Peruvian Alexander Jheferson Delgado says so: Arrested in the Piedras Gordas penitentiary in the Ancón district of Lima's outskirts, the guy spared even his twin brother on a spectacular, cinematic escape in January 2017.

It all started when Giancarlo Delgado, 28, Alexander's twin brother, paid him a visit to the highest security chain, allegedly one of the safest in all of Peru. Giancarlo went to take some food and letters from family, when he was invited by Alexander to meet his cell.

The prisoner had been sentenced to 16 years in prison for child sexual abuse, had already served two years and wanted to return to freedom at all costs. In the private cell, he offered Giancarlo a sedative soda, who didn't suspect his identical twin brother was planning to leave and leave him in his place.

Alexander (left) struck his brother Giancarlo (right)

When he awoke hours later, Giancarlo was arrested in Alexander's place, but the authorities did not believe the story. After much insistence, he was able to prove that his stay in prison was a mistake - it was enough to prove the fingerprints, which showed that Alexander had actually dealt a blow to his brother.

Even so, Giancarlo was still held in jail as the country's courts believed he could be deliberately involved in his brother's escape. Meanwhile, a scavenger hunt began to recover Alexander, something that happened just 13 months later last week after a bounty of 20, 000 soles was offered to anyone who provided clues to where the fugitive was.

Alexander was living in the Callao resort, just 30 km from the Piedras Gordas Penitentiary. His escape also resulted in the resignation of the jail director and several guards, as the guy had to go through at least six gates before taking to the streets wearing his own clothes - officials were charged with negligence as they did not check this. not even the stamp that Giancarlo had on his arm so that he could come and go from his visit to the criminal twin.

Upon being recaptured, Alexander claimed that he was missing his mother and so dealt the blow to Giancarlo. He was transferred to the Challapalca Penitentiary Center in southern Peru, which is said to have even greater security with some of the country's most dangerous prisoners. Giancarlo claims he still loves Brother Alexander, but forgiveness will come - if it comes - over time.

Giancarlo holds brother's photo: Alexander was recaptured this week after 13 months missing