Businessman kidnapped in El Monte

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SANTIAGO. -  The East Metropolitan Public Attorney’s Office is investigating the case of the hasty kidnapping and assault of the owner of a currency exchange business. The incident occurred yesterday afternoon in the municipality of Melipilla.

32-year old Manuel Patricio Martinez Gallardo was ambushed by four individuals yesterday as he arrived at his home in the neighborhood of El Monte.  The attackers beat him, put him in a truck and then forced him to return to Serrano Street in Melipilla, where Martinez´ currency exchange office is located.

After forcing him to open the business, the assailants stole more than two million pesos in dollars and national currency.

According to sources, the man was then beaten by his captors and put back in the truck so he could be taken to an area near Camino Lonquén, where the kidnappers abandoned him after taking his cell phone and wedding ring. 

Martinez was found at approximately 11:00 PM by a police patrol officer from the San Bernardo police station, at which point he filed a report for the crime.