Brazil police arrest mastermind of Bernie Ecclestone's mother-in-law's kidnap

The airman, Jorge Eurico Faria, mastermind of Aparecida Schunk's kidnapping, was arrested this morning (Aug. 1) in São Paulo, reported Security Secretary Mágino Alves Barbosa. Ms Flosi Palmeira is the mother-in-law of Bernie Ecclestone, chief executive of the two companies that manage Formula One. Faria provided helicopter services to the family in São Paulo and, therefore, was aware of Flosi Palmeira's routine.

According to the secretary, Faria's hearings will be held later this Monday. "He was not surprised when he was arrested, at his house in Granja Viana," said the secretary. In addition to the airman, two other kidnappers were arrested yesterday.

The first suspect arrested was David Azevedo, who was in his house. The second was Vitor Oliveira, who was in the house where Ms Schunk was kept. "Both of them were wanted by the police for involvement in other offenses," said Mágino Alves. Aparecida Schunk was abducted for nine days and has reported no other physical abuse. She was also not injured.

Mayor Geraldo Alckmin said no ransom has been paid. "This is important because it discourages the kidnapping. We have the country's best police," he pointed out. "This operation involved an intelligent, technical, and well-prepared team," concluded the mayor.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta