Breakthrough in $2M kidnapping

IN WHAT Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS) police sources have described as a "breakthrough,” a policeman who is attached to the Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB), was arrested Saturday at his Valsayn home in connection with the kidnapping of central car-dealer Ramesh Mahabir.

Police sources told Newsday the suspect — a 13-year veteran of the TT Police Service — who is currently on suspension for assaulting another police officer, was arrested by members of the AKS.

GEB officers are responsible for escorting the Prime Minister and President and also carry out guard duties. Their responsibilities also include managing crowd control, quelling civil disobedience and provide guard duties at Police buildings.

Officers wanting to work at the Guard and Emergency Branch are required to apply and be interviewed before entry into this elite arm of the TT Police Service.

Mahabir was kidnapped last Friday by two men at his businessplace in Couva. The kidnappers overpowered Mahabir after they pretended to be customers looking to purchase a car. A $2 million ransom was demanded for his safe release and up to late yesterday, he remained in the custody of his kidnappers.

Newsday was informed that Mahabir’s relatives together with AKS police officers have been negotiating with kidnappers for his safe release.

AKS officers acting on key information were able to trace one of the calls made by the kidnappers, which led them to the Valsayn home of the police officer.

According to police sources, around 8 am on Saturday, heavily armed AKS officers with assistance from officers of the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (SAUTT), surrounded the policeman’s home and announced their presence.

The police officer, who sources said was asleep at the time, appeared to be in shock when he saw his heavily armed colleagues surrounding his home and calling on him to surrender. He later claimed to be suffering from depression.

The suspect was allowed to change his clothes before being escorted to a nearby unmarked police vehicle. He was taken to Port-of-Spain CID where he was questioned for several hours by senior officers.

Up to last night, the policeman remained in a prisoners’ holding cell at CID.

With this arrest, sources said, they believe they can solve the kidnapping case and bring Mahabir safely home.

Relatives of Mahabir have reportedly sought spiritual advice of a Pundit (Hindu Priest) who told them Mahabir is alive.