BRITISH millionaire Colin Armstrong was rescued by police after he was caught in Ecuador.
A businessman (78) was abducted in the early hours of Saturday morning on his ranch in Baba, in the province of Los Rios, by 15 men disguised as police.
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British millionaire Colin Armstrong, pictured with his face blurred according to local laws, has been released by police after being caught in Ecuador
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A 78-year-old man was kidnapped on his ranch by 15 men disguised as policemen Credit: AFP
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On Tuesday, the British Columbian lover returned to her son’s home wearing a bomb vest, which can be seen being removed from her by an operativeCredit: X / PRENSAVirtual_
On Wednesday, Cesar Augusto Zapata Correa, Ecuador’s police chief, tweeted that Colin had been found near Manabi – not far from Los Rios where he was captured.
“Our units freed citizen Colin A., who was kidnapped a few days ago in Los Rios. He is currently safe and well,” wrote Cmr Correa.
The Ecuadorian National Police’s official X account on Wednesday morning also retweeted a picture showing Colin with two police officers, along with the message: “#SinTreguaAlDelito” (#NoTruceToCrime).
Police said nine people have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping.
In his first comments on the British diplomat’s release, British Ambassador to Ecuador Chris Campbell said: “We are delighted that Colin Armstrong OBE, our former Honorary Consul in Guayaquil, has been safely released.”
He then publicly thanked Ecuador’s National Police Force and its Commander-in-Chief Cesar Zapata, saying in a tweet: “We thank the National Police @CmdtPoliciaEc @PoliciaEcuador for all their efforts to achieve Colin’s release. Thank you.”
The Quito-based diplomat added: “At this delicate moment for the Armstrong family, I ask all of you to respect their privacy and give them time to recover from this experience in peace. Thank you very much.”
Colin’s son Nick Armstrong, who helps run the family’s estate in North Yorkshire, flew to Ecuador to help with the hunt.
Father and son are directors of the 500-acre Tupgill Park estate near Leyburn in North Yorkshire, which has been the family home for more than 45 years.
The tycoon’s pole dancing mistress reappeared at Nick’s house on Tuesday wearing a bomber jacket.
Katherine Paola Santos was kidnapped with her rich British boyfriend on Saturday.
But 24 hours later she was reportedly seen at the home of his son Nick, who helps run the family’s farming business in Ecuador, in a taxi with the device.
The police were alerted and a bomb disposal team went to the scene.
A video emerged showing the operative carefully removing Santos’ vest.
The terrified woman then runs to safety as a bomb disposal expert retrieves the apparent device.
Fitness fanatic Katherine is questioned by the police about the kidnapping, her alleged release and whether the people who kidnapped Colin made her wear an explosive vest.
Katherine was identified as the woman in the video by Colombian news outlet El Heraldo.
Meanwhile, Ecuadorian newspaper Ecuavista said the woman in the video was “the one who was with the businessman during the kidnapping.”
Ecuadorian TV also shared the video.
Local politician Ricardo Vanegas told The Sun that the glamorous Katherine is now being questioned by the police.
Colin, Honorary Consul of the United Kingdom in Ecuador until 2016, is a popular figure in the area where locals call him “Mr Colin”.
He was awarded the OBE and Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George for services to the British Monarchy in 2011, reports The Standard.
Local resident Alberto Alvarado added: “The news surprised us, no one could have imagined that this would be done to him.”
The pair were said to have been driven away in Colin’s black BMW.
Officers were initially able to activate satellite tracking of the vehicle, which showed it was heading south towards Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city, but eventually lost track of it.
Local reports said British intelligence was involved in the search for Colin.
The Foreign Office previously said: “We are in contact with the Ecuadorian authorities following the disappearance of the British man and are supporting his family.”
Photos of Mr Amstring and Katherine show the couple looking in love on holiday.
The lover shared the photos all over her Instagram, which now appear to have been deleted, showing the couple in front of the Hollywood sign and the pyramids in Egypt.
Other pictures show the pair snuggled up after a swim in the ocean and dressed to the nines at an event.
Officers are investigating the kidnapping in Rancho Rodeo Grande, which is believed to have happened around 2.45am local time.
One local report said the attackers wore police uniforms as a disguise.
Another video circulating on social media appears to show the aftermath of the raid with signs of forced entry, complete with blood trails and ransacked rooms.
The woman filming inside takes a close-up shot of broken plates on the floor and a man who appeared to be holding a bandage on his head.
He then walks into one of the bedrooms where blood covers the bed before saying, “They hit him in here. My God what is this.”
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British businessman and his girlfriend Katherine Paola Santos Credit: Instagram
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The couple often posts pictures of their romantic outings Credit: Instagram
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