Marcelinho’s kidnapping: at least R$30,000 was paid to the criminals, says police

The police report that at least R$30,000 was paid to the criminals who kidnapped, last Sunday (17), former player Marcelinho Carioca.

According to the police officers who investigated the case, the kidnappers made an initial request of R$30,000 from the player, an amount that was paid through a Pix transfer.

Then, the criminals would have asked for another R$30,000 and, this Monday (18), another R$200,000. There is still no confirmation whether other deposits were made to criminals.

Delegate Osvaldo Nico Gonçalves confirmed that payment had been made and that the former player was kept in private prison.

Marcelinho had disappeared in the early hours of Sunday after going to a concert by singer Thiaguinho at Neo Química Arena, in the east zone of São Paulo, on Saturday (16).

The former athlete was released early this afternoon and taken to a police station in Itaquaquecetuba, in Greater São Paulo. In the same city, police officers earlier found Marcelinho Carioca’s car, which had been abandoned on a street in Jardim Valparaíso.

The former player will be taken to the Anti-Kidnapping Police Station, in the center of São Paulo, where he will have to give statements.

Two women and a man were arrested for their alleged participation in the crime and will also be interviewed.

(Published by Fábio Munhoz. With information from Stêvão Limana, from CNN)