Student snatched from home

Chase Village teenager Joel Ragoo became the country’s 34th kidnap victim for the year when he was snatched from his mother’s home at Goorahoo Trace, Chase Village on Tuesday night. Up until late yesterday, no ransom was demanded by the kidnappers. The car used by the kidnappers was discovered burnt at the Longdenville Cemetery. Ragoo is the son of businessman Suruj Ragoo, owner of Central General Engineering and Maintenance Ltd. Reports revealed that around 10.10 pm, Joel was at the home of his mother, Indra Beharry, when two masked men armed with guns walked into the yard and pointed a gun at a male relative who was speaking with Joel.

They snatched the student and bundled him into a grey vehicle. Reports revealed that the relative, who is visiting from Canada, immediately telephoned the police. When officers arrived on the scene, the kidnappers were long gone. Yesterday, Indra Beharry sat in a chair on the same spot from which her son was kidnapped and stared at the road with the hope that her son would walk through the yard. She said that she was still in a state of shock and has been praying for the safety of her son. She was comforted at home by neighbours, friends and relatives. At the nearby sprawling mansion owned by Ragoo’s father, employees refused to say anything about the kidnapping. They said that they were advised by the police and management not to say anything about the incident.

Ag ASP Adam Joseph and another officer of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad emerged from the home of Ragoo around midday yesterday, while two other AKS officers walked to the house with sandwiches and soft drinks. Suruj Ragoo was reported to be inside his house and was in close talks with the police. The kidnapping has left residents of Goorahoo Trace in fear that organised crime has now infiltrated their quiet community. They are hoping and praying that Joel, a student of Upper Level College, is returned to his home unharmed. Police investigators told Newsday that all efforts are being made to locate the victim.

They added that they have noticed a trend where the sons of wealthy businessmen were now being snatched and a ransom demanded. Shivan Ramkrishna was snatched from his Palmiste home a few weeks ago and a $3 million ransom demanded for his return. His father, a hardware owner, paid a ransom of $200,000 and Shivan was released. Officers said yesterday that measures were being put in place to protect the children of members of the business community. Members of the Chaguanas Chamber of Commerce are expected to meet shortly to discuss the situation and work with the police with the hope of putting a stop to kidnapping. Business owners in Central told Newsday they are contemplating sending their children abroad to live with relatives in an attempt to prevent them from being kidnapped.