kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt
Hours after two more suspects appeared in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court charged with the kidnapping of Natalie Pollonais, investigators arrested a fifth suspect.
Police confirmed that the suspect was arrested in the San Fernando area on Thursday night and is assisting with their investigations. However, they said more information could not be revealed as it could undermine their efforts.
Pollonais, 49, the wife of Jason Pollonais, a director of the South Oropouche-based Inland and Offshore Contractors Ltd (IOCL), was kidnapped on September 6 along the SS Erin Road, Debe. On that night, police found her BMW 5308 hybrid sedan abandoned in the parking lot of an HDC apartment building at Cypress Hills, Union Hall. The kidnappers contacted her family and demanded a ransom for her return.
Four days, later, Pollonais was rescued by police after they intercepted a white Nissan AD Wagon along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway in San Juan.
On Monday, PC Shaudelle Euin, 25, of Gasparillo and Gregory James, 50, a welder from La Brea, were charged with kidnapping for ransom by ASP Peter Ramdeen of the Southern Division. Two days later, PC Ian Dwarika, 44, of Union Hall, San Fernando and Shain Steven, 37, a contractor from Princes Town was taken to court for the same offence.
Senior Magistrate Cherril-Anne Antoine rejected the men’s application for bail, saying that under the Anti Gang Act which was assented to in May, kidnapping for ransom was listed as a gang-related activity. She said it was in the category of serious offences and she would not grant bail.