A footballer, in a state of terror, hid under his bed as his wife and young son were kidnapped during a violent home invasion.
Jackson Rodriguez, a player for Ecuadorian club Emelec, has made an emotional plea for the safe return of his family.
The traumatic event took place late Wednesday night in the coastal city of Guayaquil.
At 3 am, masked intruders forced their way into Rodriguez`s residence, breaking down the front door.
The 26-year-old defender reported hiding under his bed while the assailants ransacked the house in the Mucho Lote 2 neighbourhood.
Police Chief Edison Rodriguez confirmed that during the terrifying raid, the footballer`s wife and their five-year-old son were abducted.
According to police, the kidnappers specifically inquired if the Emelec player was home before taking his family members.
Rodriguez observed from a window that “the individuals were travelling in a gray-colored double-cab pickup truck.”
By hiding under the bed, he managed to avoid being taken himself.
The Ecuadorian government had declared a state of emergency in nine areas of the country the previous week.
This state of emergency includes the province of Guayas, the location of Guayaquil.
Organized crime groups have caused widespread chaos across Ecuador, with ESPN reporting 2,345 violent deaths from January to March.
Rodriguez, a skilled full-back, has appeared in 9 games for Emelec this season.
Emelec competes in the LigaPro, the country`s top football division, and is currently ranked 11th.
Incidents of footballers being kidnapped are not uncommon in Ecuador. In December of the previous year, Pedro Perlaza, a prominent player for Quito, was kidnapped in Esmeraldas but was found alive a few days later.
