16 December 2023 , 19:12
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Prominent British businessman Colin Armstrong has reportedly been kidnapped in Ecuador, according to local media.
Criminals entered his ranch, which is called the Rodeo Grande ranch, in the province of Los Ríos. Local media cited police sources saying that 15 men entered the residence and abducted him and his partner, who is of Colombian nationality.
A video said to show signs of forced entry, along with traces of blood and ransacked rooms, is understood to be circulating on social media. Police have confirmed they are investigating the kidnap in Baba in the province of Los Rios.
As well as being Britain’s Honorary Consul in Guayaquil, Mr Armstrong is the founder of a large firm in Ecuador called Agripac that produces, distributes and sells agricultural and industrial supplies.
He is also Britain's Honorary Consul in Guayaquil (GERARD COUZENS)He is also the owner of Tupgill Park Estate in North Yorkshire, which was his childhood home. It is open to the public as a visitor attraction. Its attractions include the Forbidden Corner, a garden originally built as a private folly by Mr Armstrong and architect Malcolm Tempest. The 78-year-old expat businessman was awarded the OBE and CMG for services to the British Monarchy in 2011.We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
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A spokesman for Ecuadorian police said: “Following an apparent criminal act against a businessman in the early hours of this morning in Los Rios, specialist police units are carrying out operative and investigative work on the ground.”
The Colombian woman said to have been kidnapped along with Mr Armstrong is being described as his wife and has been named locally as Katherine Paola Santos. The honorary consul’s car, a black BMW the kidnap victims are said to have been driven away in, has reportedly been found abandoned on the road between Baba and the nearby town of Salitre.
The kidnap is understood to have happened around 2.45am local time this morning at Mr Armstrong’s ranch called Rancho Rodeo Grande One unconfirmed local report said the men who took the couple were wearing police uniforms.
An FCDO spokesperson said: “We are in contact with the Ecuadorean authorities following the disappearance of a British man and are supporting his family.”