Judge Keyla Blanc, of Brazil’s Special Tribunal for Fans and Major Events, ordered police on Wednesday to seize the passports of Lochte and fellow gold medalist James Feigen so they could be questioned over inconsistencies in their descriptions of the robbery at the weekend.
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Feigen is still in Rio, according to his hometown newspaper, the San Antonio Express-News, which spoke to him briefly Wednesday. Police interviewed Lochte and one other swimmer, who said they had been intoxicated and could not remember what type and color of taxi they rode in or where the robbery happened, the police official said.
According to the incident report of Mr. Lochte, who has left Brazil, he and three other USA swimmers – Mr. Bentz, Mr. Conger and Mr. Feigen – were leaving a taxi at the athletes village after a post-competition party Sunday night when they were robbed at gunpoint in the vehicle.
US media quoted a lawyer for Lochte, one of swimming’s most decorated Olympians, as saying his client had already returned to the United States.
Lochte, Bentz and Conger were all part of the 4×200 metres freestyle squad and Feigen participated in the 4x100m freestyle event.
“I’m just happy he’s safe”, the elder Lochte said. She added that security footage taken on Sunday showed them returning to the athletes village in high spirits.
Another point raising doubts over the swimmers’ stories was their behavior, caught on security cameras, as they returned to their hotel after the supposed robbery, the judge said. “He took our money, he took my wallet — he left my cell phone, he left my credentials”.
“Local police arrived at the Olympic Village this a.m and asked to meet with Ryan Lochte and James Feigen and collect their passports in order to secure further testimony from the athletes”, said Patrick Sandusky, United States Olympic Committee spokesman, regarding the ongoing investigation.
Judicial sources say they believe the pair are no longer in Brazil.
Separately, according to Reuters news agency, a third US swimmer reportedly present at the robbery was detained when trying to leave Brazil.
Authorities also said the group did not call police, and officers only began investigating once they saw media reports.
Police sources have told Reuters in recent days they have been unable to find the taxi driver or to corroborate any details provided by the swimmers. Steve Lochte said. “It’s just ridiculous”. The swimmers also could not say what time the events occurred.
It was shortly after Lochte said they left a party at France’s hospitality house in Rio and were robbed at gunpoint by men posing as police.
The US Olympic Committee refused to comment on the athletes’ whereabouts but confirmed that Brazilian police were looking for the swimmers.
Lochte described the incident to NBC’s “Today” show.
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“And then the guy pulled out his gun, he cocked it, put it to my forehead and he said, “Get down”, and I put my hands up, I was like ‘whatever'”.
