Cops rescue kidnapped teen

After receiving vital information, police officers stormed an abandoned house at Mayers Avenue, Freedom Street, Enterprise on Tuesday night and rescued kidnapped teenager Joel Ragoo, who was found gagged and his feet and hands bound together. He was lying face down on a bed  and appeared to be in a state of shock. The rescued teenager was wearing short pants and a jersey and thanked police officers for rescuing him. He explained that when he was kidnapped last week, he was kept in some bushes for about three days and then taken to the house where he was gagged and his hands and feet bound together.

Ragoo revealed that he was fed salt biscuits and water and was never allowed to use the bathroom or take a shower. He was forced to urinate and defecate in the room. He said he gave up hope of being rescued or released and spent his time praying for freedom. Ragoo said that he was threatened several times by his kidnappers who spoke endlessly on cell phones. He said that when he was allowed to speak to his father, Suruj Ragoo, on Saturday, he felt relieved to hear his father’s voice. The conversation between father and son put to rest fears that a body found in the Guayamare River on Saturday morning was  Joel’s. Ragoo was taken to the Chaguanas Health Centre where he was treated by Dr Ray Choudary. He was then reunited with his father.

The team of officers who rescued Ragoo on Tuesday night was led by Ag ASP Adam Joseph and Sgt Issac. Other officers included Cpl Nesbitt, Ag Cpl Benjamin and PCs Robertson, Khan and other officers from the Inter Agency Task Force. Late yesterday, three persons aged 21 to 32 from Beetham Estate and Enterprise were being questioned by officers of the AKS. They are expected to be charged today with the kidnapping and false imprisonment of Ragoo. Newsday learned that officers from the AKS and the Inter Agency Task Force got their breakthrough in the investigation following the arrest of 16 persons on Tuesday night. One of the arrested persons gave the key information which led to the rescue.

Yesterday, Joel’s father, Suruj Ragoo, questioned Newsday’s presence at his home. He said that he had already sent a release to all media houses and wanted to know why Newsday took the time to try to interview him. He said he wanted no photographs taken of his house or businessplace. When this reporter asked why, he said, “If you were a man I would beat you here today.” Another man who was standing at his side remarked, “I know you very well and we are watching to see what you are writing.” An enraged Ragoo then intervened and said, “It’s you people who organised the kidnapping.”