Trinidad: Husband escapes kidnappers, wife still being held
(Trinidad Guardian) A man who was part of a couple kidnapped from their farm in Piarco and for whom a $2 million ransom was made, has escaped his kidnappers.
However, up to late last night, his wife remained in the custody of the men who took them.
Three men are now being questioned by police.
The husband and wife were identified as Narine Maraj, 62, and Mattie, 54.
According to a police report, around 5.30 pm on Saturday, Maraj and his wife left their home at Madras Road, St Helena to go to 3B’s Drive, Piarco, to check on their property and animals in vehicle PCC 1786, a silver Ford Focus.
Around 6:35 pm one of their daughters received a phone call from her father’s cellphone where a strange male voice stated: “We have your people and we are demanding $2 million for them.”
The daughter tried to contact her father’s phone again but the attempt was futile.
A report was made to the Piarco police station and officers responded by visiting the 3B’s Drive area but the victims and their vehicle was not at the location.
Police said that at 12.15 am yesterday they acted on information they had received and conducted an exercise in Oropune Gardens in search of the kidnapped couple.
It involved members of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Northern Division ERP Units, the Northern Division Task Force, the Arouca CID, the Tunapuna CID and the Air Support Unit.
The officers conducted searches at Buildings One and Two in the China Town Area of Oropune Gardens for the victims but their searches were futile.
However, police reported late yesterday evening that the couple’s vehicle was recovered in
Wallerfield.
They said Narine was up to late last night being medically attended to following his escape.
Police said that after evading his kidnappers, he managed to flag down a vehicle around 3 pm and asked the driver to take him to the nearest police station. He was said to be in good health.
Police confirmed that three suspects were also subsequently arrested in connection with the kidnapping.
Relatives are now being told by police not to talk about the latest developments with anyone as the investigation is said to have reached a sensitive stage.
Prior to this latest development and speaking with the Guardian Media yesterday morning, a close female relative said the couple’s four adult children are holding strong and praying for their safety.
The relative said sometime between 5 - 5.30 pm they received a phone call from someone demanding a ransom but she claimed that no ransom sum was given—contrary to the official police report.
“The person just called and said they wanted a ransom but no amount and we have not heard anything else again from them,” the relative said.
“We really don’t know who or why. All we were told was that the car was seen leaving the farm and no one could have seen inside the car as it drove off,” she added.
Maraj is a retired auto mechanic and operated an auto mechanic shop and wrecking service for over 20 years.
Since his retirement, he handed over the business to his only son, who is one of four adult children. Maraj’s wife is a housewife.
“The couple would usually go to see the few animals they have at Piarco which is not too far from their home at Madras Road. They just have a few chicken, duck and mostly crops,” the relative said.
Asked if the couple had an argument with anyone, the relative replied: “No. Narine is well known in the area but he have no enemies. We don’t have any enemies so we really, really don’t know what’s happening.”
The relative said when they went to the farm all they saw was the couple’s slippers and added that nothing else was “seen amiss”.
“We are holding up ok for now, just praying that the police find them and they are alive and healthy. Narine has medical complications and we are worried about him with that. We just need them back home with us,” the relative added.