Cops receive no new leads on five kidnappings

One hundred and twenty persons have been kidnapped for the year so far, and officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad said yesterday that they have not received any new leads in the kidnapping of the last five: Yves Ayoung Chee,18; Benedict Bharath,18; Mark Samlal, 20; his girlfriend Kendra Kissoon, 19 and Damien Schneider, 35. All five kidnap victims remained in the hands of kidnappers up until late yesterday. El Socorro father of one, Darryl Chootoo, who was kidnapped by two armed men from his El Socorro home is feared dead, while Marc Prescott, 10, of San Fernando, who was kidnapped from outside his school is believed to be with relatives in North America. Yesterday, a female relative of Bharath told Newsday that the family is praying for his safe return and added that they could not say anything more at this time. Newsday learned that Ayoung Chee’s relatives had been given until Sunday to pay a ransom. however, no ransom was paid and Ayoung Chee, along with his friend, Bharath, remained in the hands of kidnappers.

Ayoung Chee and Bharath, students of St Mary’s College, were kidnapped around 5.20 am last Thursday after leaving Club Coconuts. Samlal and Kissoon were also kidnapped last Thursday in front of Samlal’s Silver Mill Street, San Juan home. A $6 million ransom has been demanded for the release of the two. On Saturday, two Laventille men were arrested in connection with Schneider’s kidnapping. A $2 million ransom has been demanded for his safe release. Up until late yesterday, the two suspects were not charged. Police officers told Newsday that this is the first time that five kidnap victims are outstanding. Officers claimed that kidnappings are now so well organised that the police are unable to make any real breakthroughs in the investigations and they are calling for more resources to deal with the spate of kidnappings.