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Police Catch Escaped Madonna Stalker

Robert Dewey Hoskins hadn't been seen since last Friday

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 10, 2012 9:35 AM CST | Updated Feb 10, 2012 3:07 PM CST

(Newser) – The man who was convicted of stalking Madonna and threatening to slit her throat in the 1990s was apprehended today, after escaping a week ago from the Los Angeles mental health facility where he's been held since last year. Police told the AP that Robert Dewey Hoskins, 54, was taken into custody in Long Beach, about 8 miles from the hospital. Hoskins was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 1996 after climbing the wall around her Hollywood home and jumping into her pool; he was shot twice by one of her guards.

Though Madonna wasn't there at the time, she said she saw the homeless man near her home earlier that year. She testified that he told her bodyguard that if he couldn't have Madonna, who was supposed to be his wife, "he was going to slice my throat from ear to ear." After serving his sentence and subsequent time in a California hospital, Hoskins was released, but was arrested again last year and sent to a different health facility. He is believed to have somehow walked off last Friday without anyone noticing, the Guardian reports. Police had warned the public that he is highly psychotic and has violent tendencies when off his medication.

This undated photo provided by the Los Angeles Police Department Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, shows Robert Dewey Hoskins who was convicted a year ago on charges of threatening to kill singer Madonna.
This undated photo provided by the Los Angeles Police Department Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, shows Robert Dewey Hoskins who was convicted a year ago on charges of threatening to kill singer Madonna.   (AP Photo/Los Angeles Police Department)
Homeless drifter Robert Dewey Hoskins (sitting) listens as he is sentenced to 10 years in prison 22 March for stalking pop star Madonna.
Homeless drifter Robert Dewey Hoskins (sitting) listens as he is sentenced to 10 years in prison 22 March for stalking pop star Madonna.   (Getty Images)
Madonna, top, performs with Redfoo, lead singer of LMFAO, during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis.
Madonna, top, performs with Redfoo, lead singer of LMFAO, during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl XLVI football game between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis.   (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
pg13
Feb 10, 2012 6:48 PM CST
Damn.  Got shot for swimming in her pool.   That's harsh.
cheongyei
Feb 10, 2012 5:52 PM CST
I thought Bob Hoskins was shorter, older, and tubbier.  How could someone go from 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit?' to 'Who Threatened Madonna?'
Moon
Feb 10, 2012 3:15 PM CST
Whoa! It's a good thing I didn't try to detain that guy in the bookstore who looked EXACTLY like this guy a few minutes ago!  

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