Former Ecuador World Cup star Christian Lara was kicked and punched by angry bystanders after he was allegedly involved in an attempted armed robbery.
Dramatic footage aired on national TV shows the 45-year-old midfielder, who played at the 2006 World Cup, being attacked by onlookers before police bundle him into a patrol car.
He is seen in handcuffs outside an electronics shop in Quito as members of the public lash out, striking him in the head while officers struggle to keep control.
Heavily armed police were forced to shield the ex-international following a gunfight with suspects during the failed hold-up in the La Magdalena neighbourhood.
Officers later confirmed four of the six alleged robbers had been arrested, including a man identified as Lara, known by the nickname ‘Diablito’ or ‘Little Devil’.
Police released images of the detained suspects lined up after the incident, with Lara pictured on the far right wearing dark trousers and a red and black hoodie.
Photographs of weapons seized during the operation were also shared as part of an official statement.
Police chief Pablo Lastra said: ‘I can confirm we have apprehended four individuals who allegedly participated in an attempted robbery of a technology store in a neighbourhood in the Ecuadorian capital Quito called La Magdalena.’
Former Ecuador World Cup star Christian Lara was kicked and punched by angry bystanders after he was allegedly involved in an attempted armed robbery
Dramatic footage aired on national TV shows the 45-year-old midfielder, who played at the 2006 World Cup, being attacked by onlookers before police bundle him into a patrol car
Pictured: Christian Lara of Ecuador in action during the international friendly match between Netherlands and Ecuador at the Amsterdam Arena on March 1, 2006
‘Officers responded to an emergency call and thanks to the quick response, managed to foil the crime at the store called Tecnomega.
‘Approximately six individuals with firearms entered the premises with the alleged aim of committing a robbery.
‘As well as the four suspects, we have seized three guns including a home-made mini-rifle.
‘We have also recovered several firearm cartridges and a number of electronic items.’
He went on to confirm Lara was one of the detainees, saying it would now be up to public prosecutors to decide whether to lay charges.
The ex-footballer, who spent most of his career with Quito-based Club Deportivo El Nacional but also played in the Qatari League, Colombia and Mexico, was intercepted in a ‘getaway’ car waiting outside the shop.
The video of his arrest showed cops pouncing on him in the driver’s seat of a vehicle and marching him to a nearby police car in handcuffs.
The other three men arrested have been named locally as Luis Alberto Mera Martinez; Wilter Ramón Cedeno Marciklo and Medina Lombeida Jose Eduardo.
Christian Lara was in the team’s squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Ecuador’s second appearance in the finals
Lara is the only one of the four men held who doesn’t have a criminal record according to police.
The retired footballer, capped 28 times by his country, was looked upon in his homeland for a long time as one of Ecuador’s most promising players.
He made his debut with the national side in 2001. He scored and made an assist against Argentina in the CONMEBOL 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification to lead Ecuador to a 2-0 win over the South American giants.
He was in the team’s squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Ecuador’s second appearance in the finals.
At 162 cm, he was considered the shortest player to play at the tournament.
