Jamaican businessman kidnapped, partner held

POLICE from the Anti Kidnapping Unit and Southern Division have launched a manhunt after a Jamaican businessman was kidnapped on Sunday by gunmen dressed in police clothing.

Up to today, the whereabouts of Yohan Chin who lives at Monica Drive, Block Four in Palmiste, remain unknown. Police have detained one of Chin’s business partners, a 36-year-old pharmacy owner, in connection with the incident.

Police said Chin contacted the partner asking for $6 million from the sale of a parcel of land in Chaguanas intended for a business. The victim is also said to have asked for $400,000 and while no reason was given for the money, police said both requests may be ransom demands.

The report said at about 6.30 pm yesterday, the partner reported the incident to San Fernando CID. He said on Sunday shortly after 5 am, he first received a call from Chin who is in his 30s.

Chin told him that earlier that morning armed men, two wearing ski masks and two with hats with the word "Police" written on them came to his home. They took him to an unknown location and Chin also asked the partner to organise some money, promising to call back with the instructions.

Chin called back sometime later and instructed the partner to go to his home and move a Porsche car for safe keeping. On arrival, the partner reported meeting the house ransacked. A woman, who lives in San Juan, was awakened by a commotion in the house and saw men dressed in police task force uniform.

Yesterday at about 6.30 pm, the kidnapped victim again called the partner asking him to sell the Porsche as well as his personal car, a Mercedes Benz. The victim called the partner several times and asked him to contact their lawyer to organise and sell a piece of land which they intended to do business at Chin Chin Road at Chaguanas.

From that sale, the victim is said to have asked for $6 million. ASP Pariman and Sgt Williams are leading investigations.