Ronald John reScued by cops

AFTER surviving on Crix biscuits and juice, psychologist Ronald John, brother of former UNC government Minister Carlos John, was rescued yesterday by police from a Tunapuna house — three days after being kidnapped from his Woodbrook home.

“This has been a trying time for me and my family and I would like to thank them (the family) for their prayers and the police for their quick work,” stated a visibly tired and haggard-looking John. He spoke briefly to Sunday Newsday at the posh Moka, Maraval home of his brother Carlos. Elsewhere in the house, officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) mingled freely with relieved family members. Carlos John heaped praised on the police whom he said had set up a small base at his home where certain aspects of the investigations were carried out. Pressed further by Sunday Newsday reporters, Ronald John waved his hands and said “ ah tired, maybe in a few days time”. He was then led off by relatives to a bedroom.

John, 50, was kidnapped around 10 pm on Wednesday outside his Petra Street, Woodbrook home. He had just arrived home in his Honda CRV when a car pulled alongside from which two gunmen jumped out. They forced him into the car which sped off. His family was later notified by the kidnappers, who demanded $5million for John’s safe release. This was the second time within the past six months, that John had been snatched from his home. Last October 2, John was kidnapped outside his home but was found in a house in Cascade two days later. Yesterday’s rescue came after Tunapuna police received an anonymous telephone tip-off. The rescue operation was coordinated by Snr Supt Rodvan Bastien and Supt Leon Anthony.

According to reports, around 11.30 am, Northern Division Task Force officers led by Cpl Jagdeo and Tunapuna CID officers led by Insp Michael Modeste and including PCs Durmot Highly, Ronald Williams, Anthony Sutherland, Dave Thomas and WPC Petra Forbes went to a house off Bamboo Trace, Upper Fairley Street, Tunapuna. The officers found the front door opened and on checking a room on the upper floor, found John lying on a bed with his hands secured by two handcuffs. John later told police that a man armed with a gun had been guarding him, but ran off minutes before police entered the house. John who was limping, was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) in Mt Hope where he was medically examined. “I was home when I got a call saying my brother was at Mt Hope...so I rushed over,” Carlos John said.

He said that throughout the ordeal, the family prayed together asking the Almighty that Ronald be returned home safely. AKS officers led by Snr Supt Gilbert Reyes and including ASP Henry Millington, Insp Adam Joseph and Sgts Netram Kowlessar and Joseph Isaacs went to the EWMSC and later escorted Ronald and Carlos John to Carlos’ Maraval home. AKS police told Sunday Newsday that since doctors had advised that Ronald get immediate rest, they would return sometime over the long weekend to record a statement from him. Up to late yesterday no arrests had been made and investigations were continuing.