US$1M ransom demanded for Solis

Solis was snatched while having dinner with relatives in Toco on Saturday night.

While police and soldiers were combing a forested area in Toco on Monday, a man called a relative of Solis at 5.30 pm. Solis was reportedly allowed to speak with worried relatives, briefly telling them that she had not been harmed in any way, and that she wanted to return home as soon as possible.

The kidnapper then demanded TT$1 million for her safe release. The kidnapper called later, saying he had changed his mind and instead wanted TT$125 million.

The kidnapper called again shortly afterwards and asked for US$1 million. He then called a fourth time and again demanded US$1 million. He promised to contact the Solis family yesterday afternoon.

This information was passed on to officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad. Relatives expressed relief that Solis was still alive, and have now begun to negotiate with the kidnappers for her safe release.

Despite the calls made by kidnappers, police and soldiers continued the search in Toco, where they believed that Solis was being held.

However, investigators learnt yesterday that Solis was taken out of Toco by boat, and a decision will be made today on whether to continue the aerial searches off Toco. Relatives of Solis yesterday pleaded with the kidnappers to release the 20-year-old woman unharmed.

Worried relatives are calling on members of the public with information to come forward. They added that Solis is not wealthy, as her father is a carpenter and her mother is a secretary.

However, relatives of former kidnap victims are questioning the quick response and deployment of resources for the search of Solis.

A relative of a former kidnap victim of Central Trinidad told Newsday that when their relative was kidnapped and a request was made for the use of a helicopter to pursue the victim, no such assistance was forthcoming. That victim’s family believes that if they were accorded the same type of response received by the Solis family, their relative would have been found and the kidnappers caught.

Since Saturday, a large contingent of police, soldiers and elite Special Anti-crime Unit officers has been deployed to Toco to assist in the search for Solis.

Solis is the 52nd person kidnapped for ransom this year.

Investigators told Newsday that a suspect in custody since Sunday has been assisting with the investigation.