Venezuelan authorities have discovered a second vehicle they believe was tied to Wednesday's abduction of Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos, according to a report this afternoon.The website for the Venezuelan newspaper Ultimas Noticias reported a 2002 Toyota Terios SUV was found in a remote area of Bejuma, the same village where yesterday another SUV believed to have been used in Ramos' kidnapping was discovered.
The report also states that about 300 members of various Venezuelan brigades have been commissioned to comb the mountainous area of Carabobo, the state in which Ramos lives and the vehicles were found.
This latest discovery comes as authorities say they are making progress toward locating Ramos, who was abducted outside his home near Valencia Wednesday evening.
The Venezuelan minister of justice said this morning that the investigation into Ramos' kidnapping has been advancing and that he is confident the matter will be resolved soon.
"We have faith in the swift clarification in this case," said Edwin Rojas, according to the Associated Press. "We already have some advanced expertise, we have sketches of people allegedly involved in the abduction."
There were also reports this morning of aerial operations underway in Venezuela, as authorities apparently take their investigation to another level.
As this all plays out, Ramos' family remains mostly in the dark. Though law enforcement has maintained contact with them, they still have not heard directly from the captors since the kidnapping Wednesday evening.
"Another long night waiting," family friend Marfa Mata posted on her Twitter account this morning. "Not a message or call about Wilson. Keep praying."
Back in Washington, fans are attempting to organize a candlelight vigil for 6 p.m. outside Nationals Park.
The team and Major League Baseball said yesterday in a brief statement they have been instructed not to comment on anything involving Ramos' abduction.
47 comments:
Thanks for the update. Please let him be safe.
Thanks Mark! We continue to pray for Ramos. My family and i really loves this guy. His love for the game is evident by his tough play and excitement he shows while on the fielld I think he is a perfect fit in the NATS organization GaryB.
"We have faith in the swift clarification in this case," said Edwin Rojas, according to the Associated Press. "We already have some advanced expertise, we have sketches of people allegedly involved in the abduction."
Is this really okay to release this kind of information?
FS-- good question, since apparently some of the witnesses to the event were children. Hope there are no repercussions.
I'm taking off work to attend the vigil (probably by cab, since who knows if there will be any way to park there). It will cost a few dimes, since I lose a days' pay--but that is NOTHING compared to what Ramos and his family are going through.
Please G-d, we will be celebrating his release and planning who will direct the movie...
Prayers that Wilson will get home safely and quickly and that in the meantime he and his family will bear up as well as can be expected. I'll be at the vigil--but I hope he is free by then. I must say, if what is going on is ransom arrangements and payments, I wd think that wd take some delicate preparations. If it ensures his safety, then needless to say it's time well spent and endured.
I am away from the area on vacation, so I won't be able to attend the candlelight vigil, but my heart will be there with you. I always liked Wilson, but I didn't realize how much he means to us until this happened. I am still praying for his safe return.
Thanks for keeping us posted, Mark. It means a lot to me.
I hope they're keeping his family in the dark just because it's all on a need-to-know basis, rather than any suspicion that they might be in on it. That'd be awful on so many levels.
I'll have a candle lit, at 6:00... although I pray it'll be a celebration, by then...
Didn't see this thread, when I posted, a few minnits ago, on the last one:
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Unkyd said...
I'm quite the optimist... Strife usually shifts me into a default mode of blessing-counting, and appreciation. Weeks like this make it more difficult: No Mom should ever have to sit around, wondering when (or if, God forbid!) she'll hold her baby again. And , (Dear Lord!), no CHILD(!) should ever have to deal with a monster, who'll steal their innocence, forever affecting the way they view the world... It takes such an effort, to remind myself that, for every unforgivable evil, there really IS a corresponding, wondrous good, to offset it's bad karma... Trying, really hard here, to remain grateful, as I pray for the victims of Monsters, and and for Wilson's safe return....
November 11, 2011 11:15 AM
Won't be there tonight but plan to light a candle at home. Hope that I'll be doing so in celebration.
Hate to be a pessimist but these "Venezuelan authorities" can't be taken seriously. They're searching a country the size of the southeastern U.S. by air, looking for a red baseball cap w/ a curly W on it. Imagine the most corrupt and most incompetent "authorities" in the U.S., merge them, and multiply by at least five. The most serious "work" going on in Venezuela right now concerns how large a chunk of the ransom money goes to Chavez's thugs for "finding" him. Hopefully they'll figure out soon who's offering the biggest bribe and let Ramos go.
I live out of state but will have a candle (or two) lit in support of Wilson's safe return. As long as no one is hurt, whatever means necessary should be used towards his release. If the perpetrators can be caught and arrested, so much the better.
@Kevin Rusch--I don't suppose Ramos's family is reading this blog, so it probably doesn't matter so much, but why even post stuff like that?
reposting from the last thread:
Re: vigil--be aware Metro trains are closed for repairs this weekend, starting last night, from Waterfront to Congress Heights, on the Green Line. They're running shuttle busses, FWIW, between L'Enfant and Southern Ave, and presumably stations in between, so allow lots of time if you go that way tonight.
November 11, 2011 7:33 AM
Ditto, Natsfan1a. Prayers continuing here.
I had the same thought re. Wilson's family. Hope that they haven't seen any such comments.
just to clarify, 1a, the same thought as mine, that they probably aren't reading this, yes?
Yes on two fronts: I doubt that they're reading blogs, and I don't see the point of posting such speculation about him or his family.
Definitely praying for WIlson and his family at this time.
Regarding the questionable postings here and on many other sites, The power of the inernet allows people to engage their mouths (or fingers in this case) before their brian kicks in.
As with most of the commentors, I hope and pray for a quick and safe resolution to this episode.
True, Bob. Further, the Internet allows rumors, misinformation, and out-of-context statements to be rapidly disseminated. Even if clarifications, corrections, or retractions are posted, the original comment may be quoted or reproduced somewhere else without them. All of which are good reasons to think before typing (not that I always do that, but I try to).
True dat, 1a. Not to mention, it's a big room--you can never know who's in it.
Oh come on, seriously? I thought the whole point of blogs was to have ideas, even those that are out there. Did I insinuate anything? No. Shoot, other commenters are suggesting Wilson himself was behind this.
Well anyway, go light your candles and complain about the parking (let's remember it is a Federal holiday and the street parking that's normally off limits during game day is both legal _and_ free) as if that'll make any difference whatsoever. Surely the fact that a bunch of gringos 5000 miles away are getting wax on the sidewalk will make the Ramos family feel a lot better.
Everybody take it easy. It's an emotional subject; think for a second before you click "Post."
@Kevin Rusch -- What an uncaring, flip remark to make at a time like this!!
WHAT AN A--HOLE!!!!
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Surely the fact that a bunch of gringos 5000 miles away are getting wax on the sidewalk will make the Ramos family feel a lot better.
I'll be at Nats Park tonight, not to get wax on the sidewalk, but to share fears and concerns with fellow people, to support fellow fans, and to actively express my hopes for Ramos's safe return. To let those demonstrating their support for Wilson in Venezuela know that we are with them. And if pictures and expressions of support from DC give Ramos's family a moment of light in a time of agonizing fear I would count my time as well spent.
Thank you, John C.
What he said.
And we aren't all gringos here.
What he said (John C.). Gringo here. Human being here. Going to support another human being. See you at Nats Park.
On my way to Nats Town. I'll be the one in a Prince William Reds jacket (my local MSBL team).
I can't make it to Nats Park, but my thoughts and prayers will be. Somebody light a candle for me, please.
Just lit my candle for Wilson. My thoughts are in the same place as those at the Park.
Sally forth John C. and represent! Hope you and NatsLady return to your homes and find positive news posted on Nats Insider.
At the park now. I'd guess 100 folks, tops, with more still coming. Thanks to the Nats for the hot coffee and cocoa!
Just lit my candle as well. My thoughts are with Wilson as well as with his family, friends, teammates, and, yes, fans.
For those who want to express solidarity and hopefulness by lighting a virtual candle for the safe return of Wilson, here's an option. It's a little hokey but it's about as much as I or any of us can do at the moment. http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=ramos
Thanks, MJR. Just lit a virtual candle as well. (Off topic but for some time I've subscribed to and appreciated the Word of the Day feature of that site.)
Candles have been lit. Thoughts are with you Wilson.
Praying.... Comfort, for we who love him... And for his safe, speedy return. Amen.
Prayers for Wilson. Impressed by all his fans
Back from the vigil. Nice people, very caring. Quite a bit of media there, so I'm sure it will be on the local news. Lady from Valencia was there who will pass along the good wishes and pictures to Wilson's family.
The Nats left hot chocolate there, certainly welcome on a chilly night. Also, we were told you may place signs on the centerfield gate, so get out there and put up signs.
Thanks for the info about the signs. I'll do that tomorrow!
Wilson! I wish he could somehow let people know where he was. I'm glad so many people have him in their hearts and spirits.
NatsLady, I didn't see/recognise you there, sorry to say I missed saying hello. (I was the one with the glowstick for a candle.)
Great story, currently linked to at left, about Wilson and his family and friends.
Wish I could be with you guys at the candle vigil. I'm currently about 1,500 miles to the west of D.C.
Wilson Ramos is, for me, a large part of what being a Nats fan is all about!
Just saw on twitter that Ramos has been found and is safe and sound. Yes!!!!
LINK!
From Adam Kilgore's twitter...
AdamKilgoreWP Adam Kilgore
Wilson Ramos's agent is with the family. Could hear "Wil-son! Wil-son" in the background. "It’s a special moment for his family."
6 minutes ago »
AdamKilgoreWP Adam Kilgore
From Gustavo Mercado, Wilson Ramos's agent: The Minister Interior informed the family 10 minutes ago he is safe. "They got him."
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