GaryMrMets
10-21-2005, 12:58 PM
Venezuelan police investigate Phillies pitcher Urbina for alleged assault
.c The Associated Press
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ugueth Urbina was questioned and released by police after being accused of assaulting several men after a party at his family's home.
Police said the incident occurred early Sunday after a welcome-home party for the Major League Baseball player when a dispute broke out between Urbina and two of his workers over a missing firearm.
``Under confusing circumstances, five workers were injured ... one of them suffering back burns and on the right arm,'' a statement from local investigators said.
The incident occurred in the house of Urbina's mother, Maura Villareal, in the town of Ocumare del Tuy, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Caracas.
``He hit us, threatened us with machetes, poured gasoline on us and, it was only by chance that he didn't burn us all,'' said Argenis Farias, one of the five laborers who was hurt in the incident.
Though Urbina was released after questioning, the investigation continues. The player was unavailable for immediate comment.
It was the second violent incident in a year for the Urbina family. Urbina's mother was kidnapped by drug traffickers in September 2004 and held for US$6 million ransom. She was rescued five months later in a mountainous zone in southern Venezuela.
Urbina has a 44-49 record with 237 saves and a 3.45 ERA in 11 seasons. He was 4-3 with one save and a 4.13 ERA in his first season with the Phillies, who acquired him in June.
10/19/05 09:04 EDT
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
.c The Associated Press
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ugueth Urbina was questioned and released by police after being accused of assaulting several men after a party at his family's home.
Police said the incident occurred early Sunday after a welcome-home party for the Major League Baseball player when a dispute broke out between Urbina and two of his workers over a missing firearm.
``Under confusing circumstances, five workers were injured ... one of them suffering back burns and on the right arm,'' a statement from local investigators said.
The incident occurred in the house of Urbina's mother, Maura Villareal, in the town of Ocumare del Tuy, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Caracas.
``He hit us, threatened us with machetes, poured gasoline on us and, it was only by chance that he didn't burn us all,'' said Argenis Farias, one of the five laborers who was hurt in the incident.
Though Urbina was released after questioning, the investigation continues. The player was unavailable for immediate comment.
It was the second violent incident in a year for the Urbina family. Urbina's mother was kidnapped by drug traffickers in September 2004 and held for US$6 million ransom. She was rescued five months later in a mountainous zone in southern Venezuela.
Urbina has a 44-49 record with 237 saves and a 3.45 ERA in 11 seasons. He was 4-3 with one save and a 4.13 ERA in his first season with the Phillies, who acquired him in June.
10/19/05 09:04 EDT
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.