Brazilian officials catch alleged mastermind of Ecclestone kidnapping

Brazilian authorities on Monday apprehended the alleged mastermind behind the kidnapping of the mother-in-law of Formula One tycoon Bernie Ecclestone.

Officials identified Jorge Eurico Faria, who piloted the Ecclestone family helicopter, as the leader of the ring that kidnapped Aparecida Schunk Flosi Palmeira, said Magino Alves Barbosa, secretary of security for the state of Sao Paulo, where he was captured.

Aparecida Flosi, 67, was nabbed on July 22 by a group of armed assailants in Cotia, an upscale neighborhood in the state capital Sao Paulo, where Faria lives. She was held for nine days before being released on Sunday.

Faria had piloted the Ecclestones to and from Formula One events in Sao Paulo, officials said.

According to Sao Paulo Gov. Geraldo Alckmin, no ransom was paid and Flosi's release was the result of investigative work.

"That's important, because that discourages kidnapping," said Alckmin, adding "we have the country's best police."

Another two accomplices, with criminal records for robbery, were also arrested.

During the investigation, state police asked Ecclestone to stay in England, where he lives with his Brazilian wife, and not get involved in the negotiations with the kidnappers.

Ecclestone, 85, and his wife, Fabiana Flosi, met in 2009 during the Brazil Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, and married three years later.

Ecclestone is considered to be one of the richest figures in the world of sports, with an estimated fortune of 3.1 billion U.S. dollars, according to Forbes magazine. Enditem