Las Lomas teen released after part ransom paid

FOLLOWING almost 25 hours of captivity, La Lomas No 2, teen Amrika Praimsingh was released unhurt after part of a $100,000 ransom was paid. Around 4 pm, following hours of negotiations with the kidnappers Amrika, 15, was released at the Maritime Plaza, Barataria where she was found by her parents Narie and Asha Praimsingh. According to investigations, around 3 pm Friday, Amrika the oldest of three siblings accompanied her mother, former vice-chairman of the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation to the Trincity Mall to pay bills. While standing in line at the TSTT counter Asha realised she had left the TSTT bill in her car.

The quiet, Tunapuna Government Secondary Form Four student offered to go for the bill. Five minutes later when she did not return her mother got worried and started searching for her. Asha returned to the spot where she parked her car but did not find it. Not sure if that was where she parked the car she reported to the security at the mall that she had forgotten where she parked her car. After an extensive search the car was not found and the matter was reported to the Arouca police. Around 11.30pm Asha received a call demanding $100,000 for Amrika’s release, followed by three more calls between midnight and 9 am yesterday. On the last occasion Amrika was allowed to talk to her family. When Sunday Newsday visited the family at their Ramnarine Street, Las Lomas No 2, home an emotional, sobbing Narie, father of the girl, head of security at the Ministry of Agriculture  pleaded with the media to cooperate as his wife, a sale representative with a southern-based chemical firm was negotiating with the kidnappers.

Narie together with his sister Annie Praimsingh left the house with other relatives. Sometime later news was received of the teen’s release.
Family members were in high praise of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad which they described as a ‘God send.’ In an unrelated matter police have heard nothing new from the kidnappers of Curepe businessman Dexter Jagdeo. Jagdeo, 39, was kidnapped at his Joyeau Street, Curepe home on Thursday night by four men pretending to be police. The abductors demanded $2.5M for his release.