‘Inside captivity it was desperate’, says Marcelinho Carioca after kidnapping

Former athlete made a post on his social networks alongside relatives

Former football player Marcelinho Carioca made a publication on his social networks, alongside his relatives, in the early hours of Tuesday (19), after being the victim of a kidnapping. In the video, he appears with his children, grandchildren, daughter-in-law and son-in-law.

Marcelinho, 51 years old, was held in private prison from the early hours of Sunday (17th) until the afternoon of Monday (18th). He was approached by a gang when he went to a friend’s house, in Itaquaquecetuba, in Greater São Paulo.

“Well guys, it’s good to be back. At home. Next to people we really love. My whole family is here waiting for me and rooting for me”, said Marcelinho, alongside his relatives. “Not only am I happy, but a lot of people who support me are also happy. I thank God for my life. For the life of my friend Taís, who is now with her two children. Alongside the people who love her.”

On Monday afternoon (18), the Civil Police found him in captivity a day and a half after his disappearance. According to investigations, the searches began after the retired athlete’s vehicle, a Mercedes, was found hours earlier in the same city.

When he was released, he said that his objective was to take tickets to the singer Thiaguinho’s concert, which would take place on Sunday afternoon (17), at the Neo Química Arena, Corinthians stadium.

Still in the publication alongside family members, Marcelinho once again reinforced that his friend is a worthy and correct woman.

“By the way, I was asked, ‘What about that video you made, saying you found out later that she was married? Guys, if you have a gun pointed at your head, and you are coerced into making a video like that, there’s no way. You will think about your life. I was forced to make that video. But it didn’t stick. Doesn’t stick. Because I went to the show (by Thiaguinho at Arena Corinthians) with a couple of friends and left there alone. I went to meet some friends and Taís in Itaquá so I could hand over tickets for the Sunday show, where I couldn’t be present. But all this fatality happened. (Time) Of despair. This flash kidnapping”, he recalled.

“Then those three people came and put them in the car. Everything that happened in captivity was desperate, but God gave me a second opportunity and the most important thing is that I am here with my family,” he said.

Finally, he thanked all the prayers received and cheered for him to return home safely.

Two men and three women were arrested. Some of them already have experience with the police. A sixth person was taken to the police station, as a witness, and the former athlete was also taken to record the incident. The case was registered as extortion through kidnapping.

They were all taken to the headquarters of the Anti-Kidnapping Division, in the center of the capital. It is suspected that the gang has up to ten members.

According to the police, two payments to criminals were made by Marcelinho’s family via Pix – one of R$30,000 and the other of R$12,000. The thieves even asked for a third transfer, which was not carried out.

*With information from Estadão

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