Key Solis kidnap suspect denied bail

Sean John, slapped with 18 charges, was refused bail, but was informed by Blake that he could apply to a judge in chambers for bail. His accomplices — taxi driver Ricardo Andelcio, 31, of Williams Trace, Foster Road, Sangre Grande, was allowed bail in the sum of $60,000, while Keston Dobson, 26, of Coalmine, was granted bail in the sum of $100,000. When the three appeared in the First Court, the charges were read out and they were not called on to plead since the charges were laid indictably.

John, 32, originally from Toco but now a resident of Windy Hill, Arouca, was charged with nine counts of robbery with aggravation, one charge of housebreaking, kidnapping for ransom, knowingly receiving a ransom, possession of arms and ammunition, demanding money for ransom, and larceny of a computer and three cellphones.

Curious onlookers gathered at the Sangre Grande Court from as early as 8 am to get a glimpse of the alleged kidnapper, but they were disappointed when an employee received an anonymous call that a bomb had been planted in the court, and court proceedings had to be interrupted for two hours.

After an inspection of the building revealed nothing was out of order, court proceedings resumed at 11 am, and the three accused were escorted to court by police officers.

The three were held by a team of officers of the Sangre Grande Criminal Investigation Department, headed by Sen Supt Rodvan Bastein, and including acting Insp Fermin Roy, Sgt Kennedy Deosaran, Cpl Ayoung Cole, PCs Ken Lutchman, Ken Rampersad, and Neil Narine. The officers had set up a roadblock in Matura when they intercepted a car travelling towards Sangre Grande.

The police arrested the three and seized a firearm and ammunition, a computer, cellphones, and the money which was paid for the release of Solis, the kidnap victim.

Solis was kidnapped last Saturday while she was having dinner with relatives at their Toco beach house at Galera Road, Toco.