june march better known pirate puerto_rico despite birth noble family political economic difficulties faced island colony late 18th early 19th centuries meant household poor worked sea early age region geography provided modest salary eventually decided abandon sailor life pirate despite previous links land based criminal activities reason change unknown historians speculate worked aboard owned cousins timing decision crucial establishing dominant caribbean pirate era began new career early filling role vacant spanish main death major target west_indies anti piracy operations piracy heavily monitored pirates rarely successful confirmed plundered vessels credited captures height career evaded capture vessels spain united_kingdom denmark france united_states preferred flotilla engaged twice attacking uss commanded small draft vessels best known fast gun sloop named anne demonstrated preference speed firepower manned small rotating crews contemporary documents accounts numbered size crew members recruited locally men antilles central_america europeans occasionally joined pirates unlike predecessors known imposed pirate code crew leadership enhanced personality trait acknowledged according 19th century reports rule engagement vessel captured willing join crew permitted live influence extended large number civil associates forming network took years death fully despite murder reportedly boasted crimes number people died result ranged foreigners proved local authorities unable contain accepted international help capture pirate spain created alliance danish government march alliance set trap forced anne naval battle minutes abandoned ship escaped overland recognized local resident ambushed injured captured imprisoned making unsuccessful attempt escape trying bribe official hidden pirates sent san_juan puerto_rico brief military tribunal found guilty sentenced death march crew executed firing squad pirate inspired stories myths death emphasizing like steal rich poor philosophy associated poetry oral tradition portrayal evolved legend commonly accepted fact puerto_rico west_indies claims puerto rican independence movement initiatives including campaign spain historic mythical accounts life inspired songs poems plays books films puerto_rico caves beaches alleged locations buried treasure named resort town near dominican_republic named early years lineage historian speculated jewish ancestry theory held historian member held copper stone chosen family 18th century european jewish population adopted theory later discarded research uncovered complete family tree prepared cousin indicating spelled originally prague paternal patriarch received recognition coat arms december eventually moved probably adapted town arrival family early settlers son recognized noble family gained prestige city wealthiest generation receiving best possible education marrying influential families grandfather held offices police military municipal administration according father received education left age frankfurt probably search university legal practice frankfurt influential figures returning years later cosmopolitan city probable hub illicit trade forced leave killed july death commonly attributed duel given worked criminal court related illegal activity sailors soon linked murder convicted fugitive remained touch family went barcelona reportedly learning spanish settled cabo puerto_rico harbor town municipality accepted local aristocracy spanish don noble origin easier neighbors linked illegal commerce homeland probably relocated cabo strategic reasons harbor far san_juan capital francisco soon met married wife born del noble cousin town founder family descended aristocracy owned significant land cabo marriage couple settled near coast francisco father died petition murder decade granted years later enabling return evidence exists francisco returned city nobleman latin american wars independence repercussions puerto_rico widespread naval warfare maritime commerce suffered heavily cabo municipalities affected ports virtual african slaves took sea attempt freedom merchants assessed higher taxes harassed foreigners conditions born francisco youngest children sister brothers baptized roman_catholic_church priest cabo days old died years old aunt assumed upbringing francisco began relationship mother child don birth education average evidence school cabo time francisco educated children hired tutor raised environment probably knew dutch italian november francisco died leaving modest estate probably homeless income january months father death married parish cabo contemporary documents unclear birthplace listed probably born cabo dutch parents marriage couple moved residence bought father months later father law lost humble home fire family debt years marriage owned property lived mother law established ties residents including brothers law wealthy merchant couple struggled begin family sons juan died soon birth belonged prestigious family wealthy paid taxes spending time sea earning low wage according historian probably worked number fishing belonged friend municipal port captain connection believed later protected godfather brother children following year appeared government registry sailor evidence linking jobs cabo brothers maritime merchants sailed boat probably worked able fisherman december registered goods southern municipalities addition frequent recognition local residents indicate occasionally accompanied year lived paid higher taxes previous year political changes spain affected puerto_rico stability decades 19th century europeans refugees american colonies began arriving changing archipelago economic political environments strategic acquisitions new arrivals triggered rise prices food distribution inefficient particularly non agricultural areas desperate local population drifted crime dissipation governor shifted responsibility law enforcement general puerto_rico driven hunger poverty highway continued southern central puerto_rico wealthy san residents requested help criminals invading houses shops following year established high security prison san_juan years governor transferred repeat offenders san_juan cabo high crime rate dealt civil strife inefficient law enforcement corrupt officials don led criminal gang stole cattle food crops linked organization operating near nobleman associates los reyes criminals continued thrive situation worsened arrival unauthorized street vendors nearby municipalities soon robbed series storms drove residents away cabo poor economy authorities unemployed night regional harvest destroyed september hurricane triggering largest crime wave date newly appointed puerto rican governor immediately ordered lieutenant round criminals possible november group men cabo participated highway robbery outskirts believed involved incident timing criminals link area headed friend incident sparked towns region convinced governor authorities criminals measures taken mayoral election cabo juan relatives elected investigation mayor incoming mayor ordered control crime region unrealistic demand resources disposal friend relative assigned prosecute incident reportedly protected accused argued pursuing case saying according private fleeing united_states initiatives capture highway cabo successful resulting dozen arrests nobleman charged murder known testified led criminal gang primary collaborators family prevented capture cabo founding family high positions politics law enforcement central government issued wanted posters july rest gang captured escaped fugitive men tried courthouse connection crimes proven august prison gave birth daughter noble status probably received pass birth took opportunity escape alternative theories broke released parole fugitive godfather december wanted poster circulated san mayor little documentation whereabouts historians suggested exploited upper class connections remain concealed family held regional public offices influence extended region wealthy families including similarly protected relatives hidden plain sight cabo authorities wanted man moved anna brothers houses visit secret visited headquarters unknown far traveled time associates east coast taken advantage eastern migration cabo captured imprisoned san_juan appear contemporary records associates los reyes released months recorded west india pirates establishing reputation probably crew captained managed cousin mayor historians agree friends family members benefited sale stolen goods joined evade authorities skills use later life employed questionable tactics later associated pirate flying flag colombia ships lower guard capturing british frigate aurora american capture led court order requiring affecting crew time turned piracy reasons decision unclear theories proposed researchers speculates time aboard seeing family member influenced decision pirate crew pay threatened lawsuit according lack work ultimately pushed piracy earliest document linked letter dated july puerto_rico published thomas gazette letter reported loaded coffee west indian boarded pirates june ordered ship brought incorrectly small island eponymous passage puerto_rico dominican_republic captain crew ordered cargo pirates reportedly killed sailors sank brothers soon involved operation helping deal captured ships able gather information maritime traffic work port presumably brother pirates communicated coastal signs associates land warned danger system probably identify loaded vessels according puerto rican historian shared especially family members close friends considered puerto rican equivalent saying acts probably research suggests organized improvised markets cabo informally sold according theory merchant families buy goods public process facilitated local collaborators french october months case settled attacked ship registered harbor robbed small fishing boat cash attacked members gang pirate connected british pirate known week led capture john american schooner captained way ship intercepted ton schooner armed swivel gun near group consisting seven pirates armed muskets stole cash tobacco tar provisions vessel square rig ordered crew head santo domingo threatening kill aboard seen puerto rican port despite threat knight went reported incident soon established pirates cabo disembarked undercover agents sent town track new mayor requested resources deal larger group control links pirates local arresting difficult central government frustrated cabo demanded pirates capture western puerto_rico military commander ordered exert pressure local authorities tracked beach near brothers homes operation recovered john sails meat flour cheese butter candles pirates escaped aboard schooner detachment caught charged conspiracy confession linked sudden success nearly century end golden age piracy time joint governmental efforts rampant anglo french seamen primarily based jamaica turned caribbean haven pirates attacking shipments region spanish colonies capture priority late pursuit land probably forced main base operations following year base initially temporary haven stable outpost heavily easily accessible cabo associated pirates century visited landed fleeing load gold silver iron second pirate base found island south hispaniola november number sailors aboard took advantage officers shore leave seizing control ship vessel pirate ship began operating passage later seen disappearing record linked pirate admitted police questioning associate confession hints ship captured hispaniola authorities recorded dominican_republic crew reportedly rested province excursion pirates intercepted spanish patrol boats coast apparent escape route said ordered vessel sinking sailed coming rest near town created diversion allowing crew escape rowed shore adjacent wetlands larger spanish ships follow remains ship reportedly found article issue described incident puerto rican physician politician year old traveled schooner school secondary education mid voyage intercepted ship pirates boarded assembled passengers asking names parents learned pirate ordered change course landed beach near freed explained knew father immigrant named settled returned home safely later attempting voyage elder favored members family despite association pirate grew militant abolitionist similar actions quickly gained attention anglo american nations called variant commercial agent ambassador lord wrote united_states secretary state describing situation capture john adams relayed information commodore leader anti piracy sent ships puerto_rico november sailed base armed pivot gun cannons assaulted american ship salem gazette reported following month schooner sailed santo domingo capturing pirates including considerable quantity leather coffee cash international victims locals foreigners region economically boarded spanish vessels usually targeted immigrants brought royal decree ignoring fellow situation complicated factors lost possessions new world territories puerto_rico cuba faced economic problems political unrest undermine commerce colonies spain stopped issuing letters left sailors unemployed piracy diplomatic pirates assaulted foreign ships flying spanish flag nations reached agreement return ships captured compensation losses aware problem developed international overtones spanish appointed governor capture priority december nations joined effort combat sending warships passage sent command associate british assigned corvette region incident january implemented anti piracy measures response spanish losses political pressure united_states ordering piracy tried military tribunal defendants considered enemy combatants ordered pursuit pirates aiding issuing medals certificates gold silver rewards captured puerto_rico east coast crew joined united_states secretary navy ordered assign ships commodore sent schooner uss spark ships investigate zone gathering information goal destroying base porter warned pirates reportedly armed said crews probably find base proximity eastern puerto rican ports february spark arrived conducted reconnaissance landed suspicious schooner seen captain decided chase crew found small settlement buildings chest medicine sails books anchor documents newton ordered base large canoe found vicinity destroyed reported findings secretary navy according report ship sent uss account pirates crew quickly attacks reported february published days later captained sailed load trinidad intercepted route gibraltar second sailed command man named dry goods bound martinique cases sailors beaten imprisoned ships plundered ships convoy escorted cabo captained ship identified small schooner capture crew described vessel painted black armed rotating cannon having crew unidentified puerto rican men presumably leading vessels dock brother facilitate distribution aid official associates usually transportation ensured reached stores cabo nearby towns region influence extended government military family involved smuggling sale land hidden sacks barrels brought distribution returned colombia published article critical situation press countered accusing stealing connecting pirates february mandated aggressive pursuit prosecution pirates march governor ordered search schooner reportedly boarding similar attacks private communication military commander asked find launch mission capture called personally pirate arrest authorizing use force governor described evil ones pursuing acknowledged pirate protected cabo authorities mayor unable unwilling cooperate despite orders tracked house twice found captain lost contact pirate wife unable communicate mayor similar search undertaken mayor reported march martinique governor wrote march concerned capture impact piracy maritime commerce brought france search march authorized france patrol puerto rican coast commissioned frigate flora mission led military commander named ordered west coast pursue pirates able trap destroy flora arrived days operation approval attempt unsuccessful assigned retired monitor activity near house april mayor authorized sale vessel owned member family lived neighbor brothers april shortly acquiring ship sold pirate flagship transactions quickly noticed prompting investigation scandal weakened authority intervened governor representative asked mayor retrieve records verify accuracy investigation led public prosecutor military anti piracy commission concluded imprisonment sanctions members family prosecuted including unclear linked number unsuccessful searches carried cabo urban militia led captain additional searches military commander prepared vessels sent response reported sightings military captain boarded ship commanded sailor best known grandfather neighbor captain second schooner expedition failed finding military named known connected lucas merchant involved incident meantime pirates fled southern puerto_rico poorly supplied hasty retreat docked bay june dozen pirates invaded stealing cattle group broke second estate owned stole ship believed gave pirates refuge near day news reached mayor quickly contacted military requested operations land sea told weapons municipality mission scale requested supplies rushed guns pirates fled municipality traveled west june led assault schooner coast ship route worth dry goods aboard brothers thought anti establishment related schooner owned sailed captain crew frequently transport cargo southern region trips cabo began chase headed brothers abandoned ship swam ashore watched ship second command boarding san las crew member pirates took merchandise leaving goods valued governor visiting nearby municipalities time occupied authorities cargo san clothing belonging brothers painting later found cabo days later sloop small boat commanded left search unable find returned june enacted measures monitored governor intended prevent visits continued tour municipalities ordering focus cabo area reached task given lieutenant leader garrison assembled troops left cabo launching operation june ended arrest pirate home troops came close capturing second associate began surprise attack finding associates including brother brother law juan francisco pirates option flee foot brothers escaped captured tried troops later visited house found wife mother law questioning women confirmed brothers identities authorities continued searching homes involved families found quantities hidden prepared sale found burned nearby hill sent san_juan suspected associates group pirate brother prosecuted instead pirates later arrested charged accomplice brothers filed claim merchandise cargo san response tip organized expedition june assembled party volunteers possibly source loaned small owned brothers volunteers locally coordinated operation intended ambush hideout expedition left coast cabo action stations place despite unfavorable sea conditions party arrived destination soon disembarked lost pirates captured incident second command shot death captives man identified crew days later returned cabo ship confiscated pirates weapons prisoners head right hand probably identification claiming bounty contacted informing measures track pirates governor publicized expedition writing account published government newspaper july honored spanish government receiving ship recovered pirates compensation loss crew honored reportedly escaped ships resuming attacks soon ambush shortly expedition mayor began search june schooner left sailors commanded captain days search abandoned ship returned governor enacted measures capture pirates including commission ordered destruction abandoned ship aid escape attempts initiative carried coasts municipalities acting basis information obtained interrogation authorities tracked pirates week july local found cabo respectively avoided troops july resisted arrest killed shootout developments featured weeks joint initiative west coast led arrest associates slave father known pirate evaded net confession testified accomplice captured july tried collaborator defendants transported san_juan prosecuted military tribunal overseen governor trial plagued irregularities including allegation public attorney accepted bribe searches pirates stole copper boat cabo escaped ship originally stolen san_juan arrested search given news public mayor asked local residents help august found boat cape mayor quickly organized troops reaching location horseback aboard ship found rifles guns cannon ammunition supplies unsuccessful search nearby woods mayor sailed craft turned group left continued search find assuming pirates fled inland alerted colleagues region find mayor resumed search abandoned poor directions del later arrested remained free august pirate skeleton crew captured sloop coast completed run command boarding ship decided larger craft sailing pirates fled west second sloop instead requesting information captain month ship commanded pirates port taking advantage lack capable pursuing shallow draft vessels shortly united_states ordered captain uss monitor western waters puerto_rico international force schooner located sloop commanded pirates fled ran inland dense vegetation recover ship danish sloop intercepted september completed voyage pirates stole goods cash passengers incident attracted attention danish government commissioned gun commanded monitor areas september hurricane struck southern puerto_rico passed directly crew caught storm drove ship hispaniola according historian expedition weeks later commander search windward_islands pirates actually operation schooner aurora owned owned weeks searching team failed locate interest continuing drift crew captured ship reached santo domingo sentenced years prison sent named men escaped recaptured imprisoned group escaped breaking locks cell doors climbing prison walls stormy night rope clothing inmates man known reyes reaching province pirates bought ship sailed hispaniola late september disembarked went island set hideout challenge october piracy region dramatically reduced remaining target concern month escaped jail members crew man african descent named broke joined traveling east met welcomed crew pirate looking recruits return dominican_republic experienced knife fighter second command new crew height success flotilla schooner group avoided capture hiding sailed east coast reportedly flew flag colombia october led group pirates robbery making october uss commanded carrying list plundered goods reportedly near left sailed following tip pirate sloop opened fire capture sloop pirates docked fled inland identified captured shootout disembarked contact local associate authorities accused piracy detained officer later freed pirates escaped commodore porter reaction later known led diplomatic crisis threatened war spain united_states later found involved distribution ships activity near peaked november international force reacted sending warships patrol zone france provided frigate incident united_states increased flotilla region uss joined uss uss shark addition previously commissioned scout despite unprecedented monitoring grew captain received intelligence placing pirates schooner cabo evening january sailed sloop patrolling west coast position pirate commanded crew armed muskets open fire ordered schooner stop gave order counterattack sailed night sent pirates failed find hour search pirates sailed east docked las river los reyes crossed vegetation joined fugitive group robbed house hid house nearby days later led flotilla sea targeted spanish sloop making way attacked ordering crew fire muskets sustaining heavy damage finally escaped near port february plundered sloop neptune merchant ship cargo fabric provisions attacked dry goods neptune owned supervising unloading began charge sloop opening musket fire crew fled despite bullet wound identified pirates including italian living puerto_rico reportedly second command attack pirates pursued shot fled sailed neptune harbor bay near adopted sloop pirate ship mayor doubled patrol soon arrested informed led sloop battle pirate sloop captured transported trial sentenced death escaped prison disappeared years according resident february pirates setting fire town island week neptune captured danish schooner belonging company based coast load imported merchandise assault crew abandoned ship sea later seen floating broken masts presumed lost time later crew boarded ship owned company near abandoning like predecessor seen near dead man chest disappearing returned february pirates arrived days later picked gun sloop anne commonly known spanish ordered boat builder registered sailed sloop received permission dock new owner low accompanied remaining aboard cargo loaded night led group pirates boarded ship forced crew jump overboard capture reportedly picked low pocket despite having walk low crew survived reported assault governor low probably attracted pirates attention docking near work hungry revenge capture low met told incident later filed formal complaint crew sailed account suggests bought anne twice low price legal documents verify builder paid low days later led pirates shipyard stole cannon ordered pursue pirates construction crew armed weapons found ships boarded adopted anne flagship popularly believed renamed official documents use formal anne quickly intercept merchant coast completing voyage puerto_rico like fate captured ship crew unknown spanish countered expedition port captain commanded small boat find pirates unsuccessful days sea time pressured regional military commanders action pirates undercover agents monitored maritime traffic coastal towns pirates docked anne sunset pattern reported local militia southern region commander time pirates sailed anne ship recognized capture march commanded boat owned capture trial spring flotilla led anne substantial pirate threat caribbean finally ended operation began low arrived home base news anne puerto rican ship reported recent sighting requested international spanish danish papers danish governor collaborating victims left port shortly authorization task force san unidentified vessel belonging sloop staffed volunteers frigate sighting anne negotiated involvement spanish government puerto_rico task force decided split san found mounted surprise attack sailors aboard hid recognizing ship local merchant vessel gave order attack anne range crew san las opened fire pirates countered cannon musket fire attempting sloop unable shake san las having lost members crew grounded anne fled inland pirate fell landing scattered rural adjacent areas injured accompanied crew members half crew captured shortly captain remained large following day midnight local members puerto rican militia spotted trio ambushed pirate hit fire fleeing despite injury fought knife subdued militia capture pirates held prison transfer san_juan met mayor offering pieces claimed possess exchange freedom key component modern myth historical reference hiding treasure declined bribe crew remained del san_juan rest lives march pirate reputed servant known arrested military prosecution received council war trial possibility civil trial right granted pirates choose lawyers arguments attorneys limited role prosecutor case cases took months years reportedly tried listed subsequent explanatory action spain accordance measures enacted governor year thought reason irregularities spanish government international scrutiny neutral countries filing complaints pirate attacks puerto rican waters additional pressure start court martial united_states invading municipality ministry rushed trial denying crew defense witnesses testimony required trial protocol trial based pirates confessions legitimacy circumstances established pirates trial santo domingo depending report trinidad havana stood african slave sentenced piracy executed sentence sold public auction price trial costs confessed capturing french sloop danish schooner sailing ship schooner dominican_republic sloop load cattle ship stole pieces american schooner cargo worth pieces abandoned burned pressure adamant unaware current whereabouts vessels crews killed testimony pirates according letter sent admitted record killed nearly people puerto pirate confessed burned cargo american vessel throw authorities defendants social status association criminal outlaw elements dictated course events captain served judge prosecutor day trial governor influenced process negotiating july congressman accused secretary state spanish governor execute pirates death legacy morning march firing squad assembled carry sentence handed pirates public execution large number spectators supervised catholic priests present hear confessions offer comfort pirates prayed shot silent crowd del accepted execution site rivera father member places execution near present day old san_juan according historian final act defiance refused eyes covered tied chair soldiers said pirate said killing people strange accustomed death words reportedly killed hundreds hands know die fire according pirates death certificates buried shore santa associates received treatment men buried cemetery lush green hill overlooking cemetery wall contrary local lore buried old san juan cemetery san juan execution criminals ineligible burial catholic cemetery letter united_states secretary navy implied pirates intended beheaded parts sent small ports island exhibited spanish authorities continued arrest associates time defendants required pay trial expenses family charged pieces contemporary documents suggest little support brothers sisters left debt brothers distanced trial brother legacy left cabo evidently daughter ignored descendants treasure asset spanish government seize sold juan saint auction costs paid left remainder paid deal authorities giving cargo san las return future died year later later married immigrant continuing blood lineage cabo day seven children notable descendants better known married great granddaughter directly descended cabo mother known interest education member branch family earn high school diploma university degree teacher founded 1940s women complete education turn 21st century initiative evolved largest group private universities puerto_rico branches family include descendants lineage western region internationally family remains family member speaker 1980s efforts particularly heroic legends followed death related pirate sister married death items associated preserved placed display birth certificate notable figures including said worn owned maternal cousin great great grandson collector gave institution displayed section devoted spanish colonial history locally documents preserved general library catholic_church outside puerto_rico records found official documents relating trial execution lost modern view aspects life relationships avoided surrounding pirates popular culture life attempts spanish authorities portray menacing figure emphasizing role pirate lord terror seas planted collective consciousness combined transformed differing century fictional accounts pirates legends inconsistent depiction historical facts race economic background personality variable aspects stories widespread use myths media resulted general acceptance fact myths legends surrounding fall categories portraying generous thief anti hero describing overwhelmingly evil represents world traveler reports historians pirate sharing evolved detailed mythology attempt justify piracy blaming poverty revenge desire restore family honor portray class hero official inequality corruption said protector children women elderly accounts describing rebel hero supporter independence imperial power legends describing generally link supernatural elements acquired deal devil horror fiction emphasizes alive remain dead ghost fiery extraordinary powers manifestation defending locations hidden treasure merchants legends portraying figure prevalent near cabo areas puerto_rico focus treasure depict hidden treasure stories moral counseling greed trying find killed dragged attacked ghost member crew rumors locations hidden treasure flourish dozens beaches buildings linked pirates puerto_rico hispaniola 20th century revived interest piracy tourist attraction municipalities puerto_rico highlighting historical connection pirates second half century beaches sports teams especially native cabo features monument honor named dominican_republic resort town named pirate number products businesses adopting associated legends puerto_rico flag carrier seaplane named attempts portray life film based legend songs plays adapted oral tradition formal studies historical legends surrounding appeared book form historians published results research inspired pirate include poets brothers published mainstream media recently discussed newspapers new_york_times magazines proceedings published articles pirate
Roberto Cofresí