‘Find the money’

KIDNAPPERS who abducted 21-year-old Kerri Greaves for a $500,000 ransom contacted the family on Monday night and told them she is bloated and very ill. They are demanding that the family pay the ransom quickly, Kerri’s father Neale Greaves said yesterday.

Greaves said the kidnappers told them Kerri is ill and is bloated as a result of a kidney condition.  He said the kidnappers constantly asked that the money be paid and when he told them they are a poor family, they insisted: “Find the money.” Greaves added that the kidnappers promised to call back later that night, but didn’t. Speaking publicly for the first time, Kerri’s mother, Debra Ravello-Greaves, a  senior reporter at Newsday, appealed to the kidnappers to set her daughter free, since she is in need of urgent medical attention. Ravello-Greaves also appealed to the kidnappers who have held six-year-old southerner Mark Prescott for a $150,000 ransom to release him. “I know what his family feels and share their tribulation,” she said, pointing out that she finds solace in Psalm 102.

Greaves, a UNC candidate in the 1995 general elections, told the media members of the Anti Kidnapping Squad (AKS) are making inroads with the probe, but continue to meet stumbling blocks. He said based on information he has received, there are “long, long connections and high people involved” in his daughter’s kidnapping. He based his theory on reports that certain suspects were questioned about Kerri’s kidnappings and within five minutes of being detailed, high-powered attorneys were present. Yesterday Community Develop-ment Minister Joan Yuille-Williams, Laventille West MP Eulalie James, Director of Gender Affairs, Monica Williams, together with Opposition members Wade Mark and Sadiq Baksh visited the Greaves’ Belmont home.  ACP Winston Cooper was also present. AKS sources said they are continuing to follow every lead that they get.  An anonymous caller to Newsday’s office yesterday said Kerri was being held at a house in Dibe, Long Circular. However, AKS sources said checks proved futile.  They appealed to family members to “stop talking too much” since they are making things worse for Kerri.