Michael Scott Moore

LA Times "Pirates in Somalia have kidnapped a well-known travel and surfing journalist from Manhattan Beach." via KTLA

'Michael Scott Moore was taken hostage on Saturday, just days before two aid workers, including one American, were rescued from their Somali captors in a U.S. military raid. Moore holds dual U.S. and German citizenship and was living in Berlin most recently.

'He became interested in writing a book about Somali pirates and went to central Somalia to do some research, KTLA News reported.

'He had previously traveled to Africa to write a series of articles on the same subject.

'Moore was en route to an airport when 15 men in two SUVs kidnapped him.

'The U.S. State Department issued a statement saying it was concerned about Moore's safety.

'"We are aware of news reports that a U.S. citizen has been kidnapped in northern Somalia and we are concerned about the individual's safety and well-being," the State Department said in a statement.

'"We have been in contact with the individual's family and we are working with contacts in Kenya and Somalia to ascertain further information."


This just in...