Police rescue kidnap victim in shootout drama

Police dramatically rescued a woman from her abductors on Friday night, but the two kidnappers escaped, one of whom is believed to have been shot. The drama began outside Hotte Shoppe, Mucurapo Road, St James as a 56-year-old Diego Martin woman was about to enter her car. According to police, around 9.30 pm the woman had just walked out of the restaurant when she was accosted by two gun toting men. The men grabbed her, pushed her into her car and sped off.

While they were driving away they told her she was being taken to an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) in Maraval to withdraw her money and if she did not cooperate she would be killed. The men subsequently said they would go to Diego Martin first where they would change the license plates of the vehicle. At the same time an eyewitness contacted the police who were patrolling the area. As they turned into Blue Basin Road, Diego Martin they were spotted by the police, and a chase ensued.

Gunfire was exchanged between the fleeing kidnappers and the police which ended when the men abandoned the car at the corner of Blue Basin Road and Water Wheel, Diego Martin and escaped in some nearby bushes. The woman, unhurt but traumatised, was rescued by the police. Police found blood stains in the car and have sent out word to all medical institutions and personnel to be on the look out for a man bleeding from  bullet wounds. PC Beckles of the St James police station is investigating.