Kidnapped man rescued in Morvant but suspects escape

Anna-Lisa Paul

Senior Reporter

anna-lisa.paul@guardian.co.tt

Less than 48 hours after a Valsayn pensioner was kidnapped on Saturday, he was rescued unharmed in an abandoned house at Second Caledonia, Morvant, yesterday.

Zahir Khan, 69, of Bamboo Settlement #1, was said to be in good spirits and healthy when he was found.

Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher confirmed the rescue as she spoke with the media at the scene of the fire at Farfan Street, Arima, which claimed the lives of MP Lisa Morris-Julian and two of her children.

The rescue operation, which was spearheaded by both Harewood-Christopher and Deputy Commissioner, Intelligence and Investigations Suzette Martin, included various elite units of the T&T Police Service (TTPS).

Revealing that Khan was unhurt when he was found, the top cop said he was taken for medical treatment.

Asked if any suspects had been arrested, Harewood-Christopher said no, but she assured that all efforts were being made to locate and apprehend those responsible.

Khan was grabbed by three armed men at 10.55 am on Saturday, as he stood in the front yard of his home.

Acting on information, various elite units of the T&T Police Service (TTPS) surrounded a house at Small Street, Second Caledonia, Morvant, at 5 am yesterday, forcing multiple suspects to flee the scene.

Khan was reportedly found tied up in one of the rooms, while a gun was found leaning against a door in another room.

In a video posted to social media shortly after the kidnapping, three men were seen running out from a black Tiida car just outside Khan’s open gateway. They were then seen grabbing and dragging him into the waiting car. The video showed Khan being bundled into the backseat before the car sped off.

Khan is the father of the owner of the popular cellular phone and electronics business Cell 4 Less, which has branches at Grand Bazaar, Valsayn; Aboutique Mall in Port-of-Spain; Xtra Plaza in Aranguez; Centre City Mall in Chaguanas; and Trincity Mall.

In a brief statement on Saturday, DCP Martin assured the authorities were working diligently and assiduously to recover the victim. Martin had appealed to the public who may have had information about the kidnapping to come forward and assist the authorities in the investigation.

Asked if public tips had aided in Khan’s rescue yesterday, Harewood-Christopher shied away from indicating this but said, “We continue to thank the public for all information.”

Commending the officers involved in the operation for acting in a timely manner to locate and rescue Khan, the CoP said, “As the police, we are able, and we have the capability and capacity, but we just continue to ask for the support of the country.”

The post Kidnapped man rescued in Morvant but suspects escape first appeared on CNC3.