The family of Detroit Tigers reliever Bwas attacked by three armed robbers in Venezuela. The robbers threatened to return and kidnap Brayan Villarreal’s relatives in the future.
Police were alerted by a neighbor of the situation. According to police reports the robbers assaulted Villarreal’s father and threatened to kill his mother and brother if they made noise when officers arrived.
“The guys put a gun in the mouth of Brayan’s father and his little 14-year-old brother, threatening that they would return and kidnap everybody if they said anything to the Police. When the authorities reached the house to investigate if something was going on, they threatened everyone to not open the door,” Villareal’s agent Hector Gomez told ESPNdeportes.com on Sunday.
The family has relocated their residence and Villarreal has remained in camp with the Tigers. He finished last season with a 2.63 ERA with 66 strike outs in 54 2/3 innings last season. Tigers manager Jim Leyland is considering Villarreal for the teams closer role.
