FORMER neighbours of a fugitive wanted in the USA for kidnapping and trying to kill his ex-girlfriend have described him as “a normal man.”

Sean Lopes was working at the Sainsbury’s store in Pepper Hill, Northfleet, until he was tracked down by police this week.

The 47-year-old was convicted in his absence in 2005 and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Last year US authorities reportedly said they believed the Guyana-born fugitive was hiding in Trinidad and Tobago.

But in fact he was living in Chatham and reportedly working as a manager at the Sainsbury’s in Pepper Hill.

Before working at the Northfleet store, he was employed at an Asda supermarket in Basildon town centre.

He previously lived on the Felmores estate in Basildon where shocked neighbours said they had no idea Lopes - who moved to the town with his new partner thought to be from Mauritius and their two children - was on the run.

Andy Clark, 32, rented his flat in Lanham Place on the Basildon estate from Lopes for nine months back in 2010.

He said: “He told me he was leaving because his uncle had found him somewhere else to live, but nine months later he said he wanted to move back into the property.

“I used to get annoyed because letters were always turning up asking for money because he hadn’t paid bills. I guess when you’re on the run a few debts isn’t really anything worth worrying about.

“I always used to see him working in Asda when I was doing my shopping, but he always ignored me. I’m not sure why.

"He kept himself to himself but I didn’t think anything of it at the time.

"He looked like a normal guy to me and not threatening at all.”

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “We never had any problems from him.

“He just seemed like a normal man and the family kept themselves to themselves.

“I always thought he was Canadian not American.

“We would speak to each other in passing.

“I’m very surprised to find out he was on the run and never thought there was anything suspicious about him.”

A Sainsbury’s spokesman has confirmed he worked at the store but has not revealed what position he held there.

His life on the run came to an end in Chatham on Monday when he was arrested by officers from Kent Police.

They took him into custody after obtaining an extradition warrant issued by Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

A member of the public had raised their concerns about Lopes to Kent Police and after an investigation, which involved the authorities in New York and the Met Police, he was tracked down and arrested.

After appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday he was remanded in custody and is next due to appear this coming Tuesday (May 14).