PUFF N’ STUFF OWNER FREED

Last night police and soldiers were still in the Beetham Estate which was locked down for several hours, after calls from the kidnappers to Laing’s relatives were traced to that area. No arrest was made up to press time. After being released, Laing was taken by police to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope.

Obeying specific instructions, a male relative dropped off $30,000 along a track in Phase 1, Beetham Estate at 8 am. On dropping off the money, persons in the track instructed the relative to, “stand by for another call from us.” Hours later, the relative drove to Barataria and dropped off a bag containing $240,000 on the pavement near TATECO (Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission) Credit Union. At 5 pm, Laing was freed.

Hours earlier, at 3 am, Laing, 54, of St Joseph Village in San Fernando pulled up outside the Circular Road, San Fernando bakery he owns and operates. As he got out of his Mercedes Benz sedan, several men overpowered the businessman and forced him into another car which sped off. At 4 am, when employees arrived and found the bakery still locked and Laing’s car’s engine idling, a report was made to the police.

PRAYERS AND FEARS As news of Laing’s kidnapping spread, friends and well-wishers including San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello, pleaded with the kidnappers to release the businessman.

Regrello told Newsday, “I have known the Puff n’ Stuff establishment for years and_Laing has made significant contributions to Vistabella community. He has employed a lot of people over the years. Today, I make a special appeal to his abductors, please take into consideration that he is a charitable man.

You can call Gregory any hour, he is quick to respond and assist anyone in need of help.” A friend of Laing, posted a message to the kidnappers on Facebook. ‘To the kidnappers of Mr Gregory Laing: You have in your hold a genuine, kind and generous human being who has over many years put his resources and time into programs and civic institutions for the benefit and development of youth.

‘Those who mostly gained from it have been you, the most underprivileged among us. Gregory and his family have funded and sponsored from basketball tournaments to educational programs. Gregory is a different kind of privileged citizen.

He is the kind of man who did not just sponsor programs, but is always there to support.

‘In a city of selfish capitalists (San Fernando) where almost all the business owners open their businesses at 8am and close shop at 5pm and head out of town, you have in your hold a man who always gives back to this town, and who always reaches back to bring someone along. This makes no sense. Use reason. We can’t afford to lose one of the very few people who genuinely cares about people like you. I understand the climate and times we face in this country, but Gregory Laing is part of the solution. Don’t be your own worst enemy. Do the right thing. Let no harm come to this man.’

BEETHAM LOCKDOWN While Laing was in his captors’ custody, his bakery remained opened but workers remained tight-lipped. Customers however discussed the kidnapping among themselves. Family members did not speak to reporters. Newsday was told their private security detail has been strengthened. Persons close to family said Laing’s relatives were in a state of shock at his kidnapping.

Investigations were led by ACP Irwin Hackshaw, Ag ACP Radcliff Boxhill and ASP Ajith Persad.

While Laing was still unaccounted for, police swooped down in the Beetham Estate and with the assistance of soldiers, blocked off all roads leading into and out of the area. They began a systematic door-to-door search for him.

Several persons were interrogated.

Officers also went to areas in Picton Road, Laventille where several houses were also searched.

When officers got confirmation that Laing was freed, the lockdown of Beetham Estate remained in force as officers continued their search, this time of suspects. ACP Hackshaw last night thanked members of the public who assisted police in their investigations and said that after Laing is medical examined (and treated if need be) he would be interviewed by investigators in the hope that he can give information that could assist in their investigations.

(Additional reporting by CECILY ASSON