Argentine ambassador in Chile and former Health Minister Ginés González García was assaulted while returning to his home in the Buenos Aires City neighbourhood of Parque Chacabuco by a gang of criminals who, after threatening him with fire arms, took his car, informed police sources.

The spokespersons explained that after the assault, the thieves, who had just returned from another robbery, began a shoot-out with police and finally escaped after abandoning the official's car, which was damaged by several gunshots.

The event, which was made known today, took place last Sunday, October 4, when a police brigade of station 34, alerted of the robbery of a Peugeot 306 in the area of Boedo by a gang of armed criminals, began to patrol the region in order to locate the miscreants.

According to sources, after arriving at the corner of Santander and Albarracín, police saw the stolen car, but on board the vehicle were two suspects, while a few meters away other thieves were stealing a car from another victim, who was later identified as former minister González García.

The thieves threatened the former minister with arms and took his Volkswagen Passat, but when they were about to escape, they became aware of police presence, at whom they shot.

Police agents responded and after a shooting the thieves finally escaped on board the former minister's car, along with the rest of the miscreants, who fled with the Peugeot 306 previously stolen and a 4x4 truck.

Informers indicated that police began chasing the assailants, who finally disappeared.

Minutes later, the car of González García was found about 15 blocks away, damaged, and with various bullet holes, indicated police sources.