Mexican soccer player, Alan Pulido, is “safe and sound” after police rescued him from kidnappers who seized him in north-eastern Mexico.
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A professional soccer player who was kidnapped in Mexico Saturday night has been rescued by authorities, according to state officials – largely thanks to his own heroics.
Police and other officials said Pulido, a 25-year-old forward with Greek club Olympiakos, was freed in a security operation on Sunday around midnight in the northeast border state of Tamaulipas.
“Blows were exchanged, and he made the phone call”, he said. The kidnappers called Pulido’s family twice to demand a ransom.
The couple were attacked in the state capital of Cuidad Victoria, an area which has been plagued by violence related to a drug war between rival gangs.
A 38-year-old man has been arrested.
Following his rescue, Pulido was taken for medical and psychological review and then provided a statement to investigators.
“During a moment of inattention by the captors in the place where he was located, he was able to make a phone call and ask for help, giving his location and we were able to immediately rescue the victim”, Tamaulipas state prosecutor Ismael Quintanilla told reporters.
“The most important thing is that he is here”.
Torre Cantu told reporters that the authorities were going over the investigation and would provide more details later on.
The woman was allowed to leave, while Pulido was taken to a two-story house, where he eventually unbound his hands and found himself alone with one of his abductors on the first floor, Quintanilla said.
Galindo said authorities believe the kidnappers were motivated exclusively by the potential financial gain. There had been a negotiation but no ransom was paid, he said.
“We thank each and everyone of you for your concern and prayers in these hard times”, Olympiakos said on Twitter after Pulido was rescued.
“When the news of the abduction first broke, it was clear that Pulido’s family had already established contact with the kidnappers”, Morales said. Both organizations also are involved in theft, extortion and kidnappings. He has also played for the Greek team Levadiakos and the Mexican club Tigres.
Pulido was a member of the Mexican national team that competed in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Mexico national boss Carlos Osorio has said Pulido has the quality to be in his squad, but had been omitted recently due to the legal dispute. He had scored three goals in earlier call-ups for Mexico.
He signed a four-year contract with Olympiakos last season. Police are still searching for another three men in connection to the hostage-taking.
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Tamaulipas listed 179 homicides from January through April, compared to 211 during the same period a year ago.
