$300,000 ransom paid but kidnapped man still missing

RELATIVES of kidnapped Venezuelan businessman Jose Jesus Bomparte Cipriani have paid $300,000 for his safe return, but up to late evening the whereabouts of the 60-year-old man were unknown, Sunday Newsday learned. Sources at the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) confirmed yesterday that the money has been paid and that the kidnappers who have snatched and held Cipriani are demanding more cash for his safe release. Police said the $300,000 ransom demand was paid on Thursday night and was dropped off in the Malick, Barataria area. Police, however, did not want to disclose how the negotiations were done for payment. However, AKS sources said, the $300,000 was paid unknown to them, and police said they are working along certain lines as the investigations continue.

Cipriani was snatched by three armed men on the night of June 12 from a house at Darcy Road, Bossierre No 2, Maraval.  The house is owned by Trinidadian Martin Schneider. At the time of the kidnapping, Cipriani was sitting in the living room of the downstairs portion of the large two-storey house in company with American national Jerry Johnson, his South African wife, Marion, Venezuelan Caroline Heyen and Scottish-born David McDowell. Jerry Johnson was robbed of $1,500 cash, Heyen was relieved of her handbag containing personal documents including a return plane ticket to her homeland, while Schneider’s cellphone was stolen. The three armed men gained entry to the house by jumping the front wall as well as a black iron gate to the downstairs portion of the house. No arrests had been made up to late evening and the AKS, whose head is Sr Supt Gilbert Reyes, along with Cpl Peter Dennis of the St Clair CID are continuing investigations.