Kidnap convict held with toy gun

A KIDNAPPING CONVICT who police believe used a toy gun to commit several robberies and kidnappings in south Trinidad has been arrested. The 38-year-old man, who was found guilty of kidnapping a former beauty queen two years ago, was arrested at the Gasparillo Quik Shoppe when he stopped for gas after hijacking and abducting a taxi driver in Freeport. Yesterday the suspect was placed on several ID parades. The drama unfolded about 9.30 pm on Thursday when Ashley Fairearn stopped his white Nissan B-13 Sentra along Mission Road to pick up a passenger.

A short distance away, the passenger pointed a toy gun at Fairearn and announced a hold-up. Police said Fairearn was ordered to pull to the side of the road, where he was robbed of a quantity of cash and jewelry. The suspect ordered the driver into the backseat of the car, then drove south along the Solomon Hochoy Highway, exited at the Gasparillo off-ramp and stopped at the Quik Shoppe. When the vehicle stopped, Fairearn opened the door, ran toward a police vehicle which was parked close by and reported the incident to the police. The lawmen from the Gasparillo Police Station quickly held the suspect, who faces charges of robbery, kidnapping and possession of an imitation firearm. Investigations are continuing.