With four cases recently and two victims yet to be located, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn has expressed concerns about the rise in what appears to be a “disturbing” trend in abduction.
To address this, he said he has urged Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Wendell Blanhum and other authorities to come up with a solution to the issue.
“It’s a disturbing trend.
“I encouraged the head of our detectives, the CID and others to get about this, let’s get a solution to this problem,” Benn told the News Room at the sidelines of an event on Monday.
The Home Affairs Minister made the disclosure as he was asked for an update on the abduction of Joshua David.
“I know that the Police are still working on the issue.
“The detective are following up on this matter. Seems to be pretty involved,” Benn said.
Known fondly ‘Bricks’ among his peers, David was abducted outside a Main Street, Georgetown restaurant where he had gone to purchase food on the evening of September 26.
Seven men jointly charged, granted $500K bail each for abduction of Joshua David
Acting on information, Police began their search for David days after his abduction, focusing on the backlands of Buxton and Annandale. However, after three days of searching, nothing of evidential value was found. David has not been found yet.
Aaron Alleyne, known as ‘Cats’; Wayne Barker, 34, of Laing Avenue, Georgetown; Damion Barlow, 32, of Sophia; Dwayne Griffith, known as ‘Sheep’, 27; Daventai Mars, 21, of Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown; Alpha Poole and Osafo Peters were charged jointly in relation to the crime.
They were granted bail in the sum of $500,000 each.
Following David’s abduction, there were at least three others.
Highlighting the seriousness of this crime in some Caribbean countries, Benn said early action must be taken to ensure abduction does not become a trend in this country.
Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn
“We don’t want it to be happening here like it’s happening in some of our regional friendly countries. We don’t want, of course, this to be a new negative pattern in issues related to crime and violence,” he said.
On October 10, Kevin Fiedtkou, a 31-year-old Operations Supervisor at Aurora Gold Mining Inc., was reportedly held against his will by three unidentified men at the Giftland Mall.
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The suspects forcibly took Fiedtkou to his residence in Providence, East Bank Demerara, where he was coerced into handing over $9.5 million. Fiedtkou was unharmed during the ordeal, and the suspects made their escape following the exchange of money. Two Police Officers were expected to be charged in relation to this crime. They are yet to appear in court.
On May 7 at Good Road, Buxton, East Coast Demerara, ex-cop Delon Alexander was also abducted. He also is yet to be located.
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Police have since issued wanted bulletins for two men; 42-year-old Mark Cromwell also called ‘Diamond/ Demon’ and 28-year-old Kevral Hatton called, ‘Smokey’ in connection with the crime.
And the most recent occurred on November 2 when nine men; five Guyanese and four Brazilians were robbed and abducted in Deep South Rupununi by armed men. They were later released. The suspects, who were masked and armed, escaped.
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