Kidnap victim freed

Twenty-one-year-old Christopher Maharaj was released by his kidnappers hours after kidnap suspect Stephen Subero  was shot dead by the police on Tuesday. Investigators believe that Subero was involved in Maharaj’s abduction, and when his accomplices heard of his death they became afraid and released Maharaj without collecting the $2 million ransom. Subero, 27, wanted in connection with the kidnapping and murder of businessman Vernon Roopnarine and teenager Christopher Thackorie, was killed around 1 pm on Tuesday during a shoot-out with police, at Freeman Road, St Augustine.

Eight hours later at around 9 pm, Maharaj was untied by his abductors and told that he was free to leave. Maharaj, who was being held in a shed at a forested area at Cassava Hill, near his girlfriend’s Todds Road, Chagaunas home, walked out of the shed and made his way through the thick bushes. He eventually made it to his girlfriend’s home and contacted the police. The young man, who was abducted after visiting his girlfriend, Alicia Birbal, on Sunday night, told police that he was not beaten or tortured by the kidnappers. Maharaj, the son of the proprietor of Bess Auto Supplies, was said to be resting comfortably at his Lange Park, Chaguanas home yesterday. Officers of the Anit-Kidnapping Squad and Chaguanas CID are investigating.