SAN JUAN, (AP):

A group of masked men kidnapped a six-year-old boy yesterday in a working class neighbourhood of the Puerto Rican capital, the FBI said.

The four assailants fled with the child, identified as Alfry Infante Perez, in a grey Jeep Cherokee. The FBI took over the investigation because it has jurisdiction over kidnapping cases in Puerto Rico, said Special Agent Maritza Conde Vazquez, a spokeswoman for the agency in the US islandterritory.

Conde declined to say whether there are any suspects or to comment on a possible motive.

Puerto Rico police said in a statement that the boy was with his father, who was injured in the attack. It occurred in Barrio Obrero, a neighbourhood of San Juan.

Local newspaper El Vocero reported that the father had been kidnapped last year and was rescued by the FBI. Conde declined to comment on the report.