Kidnapped British millionaire is rescued in Ecuador: police say he is 'safe and sound' as nine thugs arrested in raid
- Colin Armstrong, 78, was snatched from his villa by fifteen armed men on Saturday
A millionaire British businessman and former diplomat who was kidnapped in Ecuador has been found by police after his girlfriend was questioned as part of the plot.
Colin Armstrong, 78, was snatched from his villa by 15 armed men on Saturday morning and was last seen bundled into the back of a car.
Grainy footage later showed his girlfriend Katherine Paola Santos being surrounded by bomb squad police as an “explosive device” was removed from her, but officers suspect she was part of the scam.
On Wednesday, Ecuador's police chief, Cesar Augusto Zapata Correa, tweeted that Armstrong had been found on a road near Manabi, not far from Los Rios, where he was snatched.
In the photo, which was slightly blurred under local law, he was flanked by two police officers and wearing a baseball cap. He seemed fit and well.
On Wednesday, Cesar Augusto Zapata Correa, Ecuador's police chief, tweeted that Mr Armstrong (pictured) had been found near Manabi, not far from Los Rios, where he was snatched.
Colin Armstrong, 78, and partner Katherine Paola Santos are pictured together in Jamaica
Commander Correa wrote: 'Our units have released civilian Colin A., who was kidnapped a few days ago in Los Rios. Right now he is safe and sound.”
He added that nine people had been arrested in connection with the kidnapping.
There was no immediate comment from his family, including a daughter in California, Diana Armstrong Bruns, who had previously told the Mail it was a “critical time” for the family.
His son Nick Armstrong, who helps run the family estate in North Yorkshire, had flown to Ecuador to help with the hunt.
The father and son are directors of the 500-acre Tupgill Park Estate near Leyburn in North Yorkshire, which has been the family home for more than 45 years.
The wealthy businessman was arrested by 15 masked men, reportedly disguised as police officers, before being driven away in their black BMW, which was later found abandoned by the roadside.
Chilling footage posted online shows kidnappers left a blood-stained trail after ransacking Mr Armstrong's remote farm in Los Rios province.
This is a breaking news story, more to come…