Find $5M — or Chay dies

Relatives of kidnapped St Clair businessman John Chay said yesterday they are trying to raise part of the ransom money demanded by kidnappers.

They claimed they are in no position to raise the $5 million which was demanded by kidnappers on Wednesday night. The distraught Chay family was told by one of the kidnappers that if the money is not raised, he will be killed. The call to the family was made on Wednesday night. Relatives continue to remain tight-lipped over the kidnapping but police sources say they have been troubled by the kidnapping and have been praying for his safety. Yesterday, relatives of Chay gathered at his Elizabeth Street, St Clair home to await word from the kidnappers.

Chay, 42, is the 43rd person to be kidnapped for the year. A security guard who witnessed the kidnapping gave a statement to the police yesterday. Chay, owner of a factory in Diego Martin, was kidnapped on Tuesday night by three masked men who forced him off the road at Serpentine Road, St Clair. He crashed into a wall and was ordered at gunpoint into a car by three kidnappers. His car was towed to the St Clair Police Station where it was tested for prints. Newsday understands that workable prints were found in the vehicle and those prints were being matched with those of suspects. Officers of the Anti Kidnapping Squad are investigating.