Cops rescue Arima kidnap victim

The police officers, along with soldiers, cordoned off St Thomas Village, Chaguanas, at about 10.30 pm. They swooped down on a house at Graham Street where they found Moonsammy lying on the ground with his hands, feet and mouth bound.

He appeared to be in good health and was taken to the Chaguanas Health Facility where he was examined before being handed over to the police.

Sources told Sunday Newsday that the dramatic rescue mission was launched after reports were received about strange activities in and around the house. Residents contacted the owner of the property, who lives in South Trinidad and he contacted a friend in the village who subsequently reported his observations to the police.

Based on that information, the Police Intelligence Unit was activated and Moonsammy was rescued.

Further investigations revealed that a man from Arima had been allowed the use of the house over the past two weeks. The owner of the house did not know the man but allowed him access to the property as a favour to some friends.

Yesterday, at Moonsammy’s Quesnel Street, Arima home, relieved relatives gathered to await his return. They refused to speak to the media.

Moonsammy, 31, was working on a car on Monday about 2.30 pm at his garage, Sammy’s Auto Electrical, located at the corner of Guanapo Road and Quesnel Street, Arima, when he was abducted by four masked men. While they were bundling Moonsammy into a silver Primera, the victim’s brother, Sherwin, 21 who was standing nearby attempted to rescue him. Two of the abductors grabbed the younger Moonsammy, took him into the garage and shot him twice in the stomach before driving away.

Sherwin is warded in a satisfactory condition at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital.

Police sources claimed a $2 million ransom was demanded for Moon-sammy’s safe return but this was denied by family members.

Following the rescue, a man linked to the house where Moonsammy was found, accompanied by his wife, a police officer and a prison officer, gave himself up to the Chaguanas police. Police are now looking for an Arima man who was staying at the house.

The AKS under ASP David Nedd is continuing investigations.