Two kidnappings in south — one escapes the other released

THE Anti-kidnapping Squad are investigating two kidnappings in South Trinidad which occurred within the space of two days. Both victims, Saleema Meighoo, 24, of Washington Street, Marabella, and Sunil Chadia, 31, a labourer, of Puerto Grande Road, Erin, were back home with their families yesterday. In the first incident, early Tuesday morning, 24-year-old Saleema Meighoo was snatched and bundled into a car, after she opened her front door to let her pet cat out. Around 6.40 am, her sister, Pamela Meighoo, received a phonecall from a man who said he was going to kill Meighoo. In the background, the woman heard her sister screaming “Pam Pam they have me” and then the phone line went dead. Minutes after the person called again and  threatened to kill Meighoo if the family went to the police.

Meighoo told police she was tied up and being kept in the area. She said later that day she was able to chew the rope from her hands and  escape. When Newsday went to her home yesterday relatives said Meighoo was traumatised and afraid for her safety as well as her family’s. In the other incident, Chadia’s girlfriend told police yesterday, they were alseep at their Francois Village, Erin home when they heard a pounding on the door and persons shouting “police, police”. She said three men in camouflage clothing broke down the door, dragged Chadia out of the house and into a waiting car. They then sped off and she called the police. Around 11 am Chadia was released but instead of going to the police he reported to work at the Point Fortin Borough Corporation.

On his arrival to the Point Fortin Borough Corporation, shortly after 11 am yesterday,  co-workers told him it was reported that he had been kidnapped and advised him to go to the police. Police took a statement from the labourer, of Puerto Grande Road, Erin, who said his abductors asked him certain questions and then released him.  A party of officers from the Erin Police Station, including Cpl David Subero, Blackman and WPC Codringham conducted inquiries.