Murdered Sheron’s brother snatched

POLICE were searching for Sheldon Sukhdeo, brother of murdered auto parts dealer Sheron Sukhdeo, who was snatched during the pre-dawn hours by gunmen dressed in what appeared to be police uniform in Claxton Bay.

Police said that at 5 am, Sukhdeo, 31, was driving a silver-grey BMW sedan north along the Solomon Hochoy Highway with three Venezuelan men as passengers.

On reaching Claxton Bay, a Kia SUV with flashing blue lights drove alongside the BMW with the driver motioning Sukhdeo to pull to the shoulder of the highway. He complied. Three men, dressed in what appeared to be police uniforms, alighted from the SUV and with guns drawn, kidnapped Sukhdeo.

The businessman was herded into the SUV which sped off. The Venezuelans were left unharmed and one of them later drove the BMW to Caroni Savannah Road in Chaguanas where they alerted Sukhdeo’s relatives and a report was made to the Chaguanas police.

Officers from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU) and Special Operations Response Team (SORT) began investigations and mounted a search for Sukhdeo. Sukhdeo’s cellphone was switched off when relatives tried to make contact with him. Sources said they have information Sukhdeo was not kidnapped for ransom.

The Venezuelans who witnessed the abduction were later interviewed by police. Sources at the AKU said the people who snatched Port of Spain teenager Darrell Cuffie earlier this year were also dressed in what appeared to be police uniform. Cuffie was taken away in a KIA SUV outfitted with blue flashing lights. Cuffie, who was released recently, met with Police Commissioner Gary Griffith and insisted his kidnapping was carried out by police officers.

Police sources said that as of midday yesterday, no ransom demand was made to Sukhdeo's family. Contacted for a comment, a relative who asked not to be named said, "We are worried for his safety. Look at what they did to Sheron. Look at what has happened to Sheron’s wife, she is unable to stay in this country and now this. We are scared. We want Commissioner Griffith to find Sheldon.”

On the night of Monday March 26, Sheron Sukhdeo was shot dead in a drive-by as he was liming outside the home of relatives in Caroni Savannah Road. Then in May, Sukhdeo's brother in law Philip Bassant was gunned down near to where Sukhdeo was shot.