Former Masters and US Open golf champion Angel Cabrera was arrested in Brazil after sparking an international manhunt amid allegations that he tried to run over his ex-girlfriend with a van, authorities said Friday.
The 51-year-old Argentine pro golfer — who was on Interpol’s “code red” list while fleeing earlier this month — was busted by federal officials on Thursday in Rio de Janeiro and will be extradited to his homeland, officials said.
He faces charges for assault, illegal intimidation and theft for incidents involving former romantic partners.
His ex-girlfriend, Cecilia Torres, alleges the golf pro punched her in the face, threatened her and tried to run her over in 2016.
Cabrera’s ex-wife, Silva Rivadero, also filed two charges against him for minor assault and threats. And his ex-partner, Micaela Escudero, claims he beat and threatened her.
Cabrera had been a fugitive in Argentina since August 14, when he failed to appear at a meeting with a prosecutor regarding the alleged attacks.
Rivadero’s lawyer, Carlos Nayi, has said Cabrera is a “danger to all of society.”
“[He] has made fun of the justice system and constantly threatened his former partners,” Nayi told the Argentine news outlet Clarin earlier this month. “He even said that he would take a flight and kill her. [He] runs the risk of committing further barbarities.”
Cabrera is South America’s biggest golf star, winning the US Open in 2007 by one shot over Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk. In 2009, he won the Masters in a playoff and also has one PGA Tour victory.
He didn’t play in the Masters tournament last year due to a wrist injury and instead traveled to the US for a surgery in October.
With Post Wires