Cops hold two suspects in kidnap of construction worker

Police have detained two suspects in connection with the kidnapping of construction worker Darryl Chootoo. Reports are that Chootoo may have been killed. Based on information received the police officers yesterday went in search of Chootoo’s body at La Paille Village, Caroni, but their search was futile. Instead, they recovered the burnt car used to transport Chootoo, and also an abandoned car stolen at New Street, La Paille Village. Yesterday officers of the North Eastern Division along with Central Division CID officers went to La Paille Village, Caroni,  carried out an extensive search for the body. The two vehicles recovered were towed to the Chaguanas Police Station. Police officers said yesterday that the search for the body will continue today. Chootoo, 29, was kidnapped from his El Socorro home on June 30. He was at home on the night of June 30 when two men broke down a door to his home and bundled him into a car. Relatives heard a single gunshot leading them to believe that he was shot.

Relatives pleaded with kidnappers to release Chootoo claiming that they are poor people and unable to pay a ransom. Officers of the North Eastern Division led by Sgt David Abraham carried out inquiries and detained two suspects in the kidnapping. During interrogation, the men confessed to kidnapping Chootoo and later shooting him. Police investigators said yesterday that they are now in the process of recording statements from the two detainees. Relatives of Chootoo wept yesterday when they learned that the police in their search for Chootoo had come up empty-handed.