Police Hunt for Kidnapped Alan Pulido
Forces mounted a big search operation Sunday for
Mexican soccer star Alan Pulido, who was abducted in the crime-plagued
northern border state of Tamaulipas.
The 25-year-old Pulido is a forward for Olympiakos of Greece and was
part of Mexico's 2014 World Cup team, though he wasn't called up for the
Copa America tournament that starts this coming week.
"We have information that he was intercepted by armed persons and since
then his whereabouts are unknown," said state Attorney General Ismael
Quintanilla.
The Tamaulipas Coordination Group that includes federal and state
security agents said on its Twitter account that it was searching for
the player. Reporters in the city saw an unusual deployment of troops
and police in the streets, while at least two police or military-style
helicopters flew overhead.
A state official earlier said Pulido was kidnapped early Sunday after
leaving a party near his hometown of Ciudad Victoria, the capital of
Tamaulipas, a state that has suffered battles between major drug gangs.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not
authorized to discuss a case under investigation.
Authorities gave no further details about the kidnapping or a motive for
the abduction, which happened a week before state elections to pick a
new governor for Tamaulipas.
Pulido's Greek team said it hoped for a good outcome for the player.
"At this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with Alan,"
Olympiakos said on its official Twitter account in a message in both
Spanish and English accompanied by a photograph of him.
Former teammates on Mexico's national team went on social networks to offer their support for his welfare.
"A shame what happened," goalkeeper Jesus Corona said on Twitter. "My
prayers are with him and his family at this difficult time."
Similar comments came in tweets by goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, defenders
Diego Reyes and Miguel Layun and strikers Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez
and Oribe Peralta, all of whom are in the United States of the Copa
America competition.
Pulido debuted and played several seasons with the club Tigres of
Monterrey, whose Twitter account expressed solidarity with the player's
family "in the difficult situation they are experiencing."
Pulido left the Tigres in 2014 to play in Europe, though he has been in a
dispute with the Mexican club about whether his contract there
continues to be valid.
National team coach Carlos Osorio recently said Pulido has the quality
to be on the squad but was left off the Copa America team due to the
legal dispute. He had scored three goals in earlier call-ups.
In the most recent season, he scored five times in eight appearances with Olympiakos.
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