crime

3 victims released unharmed

Three kidnappings have occurred in the country during the month of September, according to police records.

The latest happened Thursday, when Harmodio Pérez, owner of the “Chichemito” stores, was abducted in the neighborhood of 24 de Diciembre.

His captors demanded a ransom of $300,000, a judicial source said. While the victim was released Friday, it is not known if any ransom was paid.

On Sept. 9, a group of criminals kidnapped businessman Giusseppe Alí Cheateli Saeili, 42, on Calle 74 in San Francisco.

He was released the next day.

The authorities are unaware if his relatives paid for his release.

On Sept. 18, four guerrillas kidnapped rancher Alberto González, 24, from his farm in the Darién, demanding a $1.5 million ransom. Police managed to free him the next day.