Newz Forum: BASEBALL: Breaking news: Ugueth Urbina's mother kidnapped in Venezuela

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Four unidentified men disguised as police officers kidnapped the mother of Major League baseball player Ugueth Urbina in his native Venezuela, police said Thursday.

The men took Maura Villareal from a house owned by the Detroit Tigers pitcher in a Caracas suburb on Wednesday, said Joel Rengifo, the director of the country's anti-kidnapping police force. The men have not contacted family members, he said.

Kidnappers of Maura Villareal, mother of Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Ugueth Urbina, have demanded a ransom payment of $15 million, according to Venezuela Electronic News.

According to the report, the kidnappers' demand was confirmed by a telephone call to the family in Venezuela.
Urbina's mother was taken Sept. 1 when men dressed as policemen entered her small Venezuelan farm and spirited her away.

The 30-year-old Urbina left the Tigers to go to Venezuela and has not returned to the team.

The report says Venezuelan police seem confident Villareal will be returned safely to the family. However, it is not clear whether the police will intervene or allow a lesser amount of cash to be paid for her release.

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