A former World Cup star was punched and kicked while he was being arrested over a violent armed robbery attempt.
Extraordinary footage published on national TV showed ex-Ecuador international Christian Larathe, picked by his country to play in the 2006 World Cup, being attacked by angry witnesses, before he was bundled into a police car. Cops confirmed they had held four of the six suspects said to have taken part in the foiled hold-up and published photos of the men detained including a man identified as the 45-year-old ex-midfielder, whose nickname is Diablito or ‘Little Devil’, on account of him being 5ft 2in.
He was shown on the far right of the line-up in dark trousers and a red and black hoodie top. The footage of his dramatic arrest showed heavily-armed police having to protect him from onlookers who kicked and punched him in the head outside the electronics shop that had been targeted, while he was in handcuffs.
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He was then bundled into a patrol car following a gunfight between cops and the criminals. Photos of the weapons seized were also published by officers in a statement released online.
Police chief Pablo Lastra said: “I can confirm we have apprehended four individuals who allegedly participated in an attempted robbery of a technology store in a neighbourhood in the Ecuadorian capital Quito called La Magdalena.
“Officers responded to an emergency call and thanks to the quick response, managed to foil the crime at the store called Tecnomega. Approximately six individuals with firearms entered the premises with the alleged aim of committing a robbery.
(Image: Getty Images)
“As well as the four suspects, we have seized three guns including a home-made mini-rifle. We have also recovered several firearm cartridges and a number of electronic items.”
He went on to confirm Lara was one of the detainees, saying it would now be up to public prosecutors to decide whether to lay charges.
The ex-footballer, who spent most of his career with Quito-based Club Deportivo El Nacional but also played in the Qatari League, Colombia and Mexico, was intercepted in a ‘getaway’ car waiting outside the shop.
The video of his arrest showed cops pouncing on him in the driver’s seat of a vehicle and marching him to a nearby police car in handcuffs.
The other three men arrested have been named locally as Luis Alberto Mera Martinez; Wilter Ramón Cedeno Marciklo and Medina Lombeida Jose Eduardo. Lara is the only one of the four men held who doesn’t have a criminal record according to police.
The retired footballer, capped 28 times by his country, was looked upon in his homeland for a long time as one of Ecuador’s most promising players.
He made his debut with the national side in 2001. He scored and made an assist against Argentina in the CONMEBOL 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification to lead Ecuador to a 2-0 win over the South American giants.
He was in the team’s squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Ecuador’s second appearance in the finals.