Mexican Army rescues kidnapped man

Members of the Mexican Army rescued a kidnapped Matamoros man after a brief confrontation with several armed assailants on Monday afternoon.

The battle and subsequent rescue took place on Galeria Street in the Estancia Residencial subdivision during a routine patrol through the streets of Matamoros by the motorized cavalry of the 10th regiment, said a press release.

When the Mexican soldiers drove by the 100 block of Galeria Street, they spotted some men carrying automatic weapons in the parking area of house No. 111, the Mexican Army said. When the men saw the soldiers they attempted to elude capture and began firing at the Mexican troops, who fought back and where able to apprehend four men and rescue Hector Joel Turrubiates Conde, 34, the kidnapping victim.

Armando Gutierrez Reyna, 35, Jose Mario Nava Gonzalez, 31, Jose Luis Gleldadio Gonzalez, 29, and Alfonso Selvera Salazar, 40, were arrested after the firefight and turned over to federal authorities, the army said.

After the firefight soldiers seized nine assault rifles, four handguns, two fragmentation grenades, 170 ammunition clips and 13,769 rounds. Soldiers also seized a white Chevrolet Tahoe with Texas license plates.

It could not be immediately learned why the man was kidnapped.

Anyone with information about suspected drug activity is asked to contact the Mexican Army tip-line at (01152-899) 9-26-70-92 or at denunciasedena8zm@hotmail.com