2 held in schoolboy kidnapping

The boy was lured into a car by a man while he (Persad) was walking in Princes Town after leaving the ASJA Primary School. The incident occurred at about 4.30 pm. Persad, of St Julien Village, was lured into a car by a strange man who pretended he was sent by Persad’s relatives to pick up the schoolboy.

The boy’s parents had received a telephone call from a man who claimed he kidnapped Persad and wanted $250,000 for his release. At about 5 pm on Thursday, police went to the home of the two men and took them to the Princes Town Police Station. Newsday was told that subsequent to the men’s arrest, members of the Anti- Kidnapping Squad (AKS) searched several homes in Siparia for leads.

Persad’s mother, Navi Barran, yesterday said that she had not received any calls since the ransom demand was made. Members of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad are continuing investigations.