(UPDATE 4:45 PM): The Tamaulipas Coordination Group, which includes federal and state security agents, has begun their search for Alan Pulido.
Ismael Quintanilla, the state Attorney General of Mexico, has released a statement regarding the status of their investigation of the Mexican professional soccer player. "We have information that he was intercepted by armed persons and since then his whereabouts are unknown," said Quintanilla. Reporters in Tamaulipas said they found an unusual deployment of troops and police in the city's streets, while at least two police or military-style helicopters flew overhead.
Pulido was abducted by early Saturday morning around 2:00am after attending a party with his girlfriend in Tamaulipas, near his hometown. After leaving the party, he was allegedly surrounded by armed men who jumped out of bevy of trucks and vans to kidnap him. His girlfriend was reportedly unharmed during the incident.
We will continues to provide more information as this story develops.
See original story below.
25-year-old Mexican professional soccer player Alan Pulido, who is currently a forward for the Greek club Olympiacos, was kidnapped early Sunday morning, the Associated Press reports. Pulido was taken somewhere near his hometown in the northern border state of Tamaulipas, Mexico, a state which has been beset by a wave of organized crime, according to The Guardian. Pulido recently returned to the area following the conclusion of his season overseas.
He was reportedly leaving a party with his girlfriend some time around 2 A.M. when a group of trucks surrounded his car. At that point, a crew of half-a-dozen masked men took him "by force." His girlfriend was left unharmed by the kidnappers.
Pulido's brother, Armando, later confirmed the news to MedioTiempo. "Yes, it’s true," he told the site. "We have the support of the governor. We are waiting to see what happens.”
Pulido joined Olympiacos last season, where he scored five goals in eight games. Previously he played for the Mexican national team.
We will continue to update this story as it evolves.
