Construction worker shot, forced into car

THERE has been another reported kidnapping in the country. This time, a construction worker became the nation’s latest kidnap victim. On Monday night he was shot at his home and dragged into a car by three gunmen. Up to late yesterday, the kidnappers had not telephoned the man’s family to make any demands.   Senior police sources from the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) told Newsday Daryl Chootoo, 25, is the third person to be kidnapped between Saturday and yesterday. At the same time Chootoo was being kidnapped at his home, another kidnap victim, Valsayn businessman Peter de Freitas, was released unharmed in Mt Hope after a ransom in excess of $40,000 was reportedly paid. According to police reports, around 9 pm, Chootoo was relaxing with his family at his LP 15 El Socorro Road, San Juan home when three armed men stormed the house - one jumping through an open window and the other two forcing their way through a door. The men confronted Chootoo who at the time was lying on a bed watching television. As the men grabbed onto Chootoo, he struggled in an attempt to break free and was shot once in the lower part of his stomach. As he slumped to the ground, the three men lifted and took him to their waiting vehicle.

Chootoo was bundled in the backseat of the car. Chootoo’s frightened family telephoned the Barataria police who in turn contacted the Anti-Kidnapping Squad. Officers, coordinated by North-Eastern Division Head, Snr Supt Desmond Lambert and AKS Head, Snr Supt Gilbert Reyes, visited the scene and interviewed several of the kidnap victim’s relatives. Involved in the investigations are AKS officers ASP Henry Millington and Sgt Netram Kowlessar. Barataria CID officers Sgt David Abraham and PCs Wayne Premdass and Snaggs are also involved in the investigations. Police sources told Newsday that all medical institutions have been placed on alert and were asked to report to police anyone seeking assistance for gunshot wounds. Sources also said they were worried that the kidnappers had not contacted Chootoo’s relatives to make any demands since this, coupled with the fact that he was shot while trying to escape, could mean that Chootoo is dead. However sources hastened to add that investigations were moving at full speed and police were looking at several angles. Up to late yesterday there was still no word on Chootoo’s whereabouts.