[UPDATED] Manhunt for doubles vendor abducted in El Dorado

A DOUBLES vendor was abducted outside of the popular Sauce Doubles outlet in El Dorado on May 18.

According to reports, Anisha Hosein, 27, was preparing to open the outlet when she was grabbed by three masked men and placed into a car which drove off as soon as she was inside.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera footage from a building across the road from the outlet showed a dark sports utility vehicle (SUV) pulling up on the pavement opposite Sauce Doubles before Hosein's abduction.

The SUV turned and parked close to the outlet. Minutes later, another car pulled up outside.

Three masked men armed with guns got out. One went inside, grabbed Hosein and dragged her outside.

Passers-by ran for cover as shots were fired and the men drove away with Hosein. Her husband, Richie Singh, was grazed by a bullet to his face as he ran to his wife's aid. He was treated and discharged.

The Hunters Search and Rescue Team have posted notices on social media about Hosein asking the public for information on her whereabouts.

Hosein is the daughter of Sauce Doubles owner Ahamad Hosein.

Police found the car used by Hosein's abductors  abandoned at Maracas, St Joseph, hours after the incident.

Officers from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the North Central Division are investigating Hosein's abduction.

Attempts by Newsday to call and message Ahamad and Singh for comment were unsuccessful.

In an interview with Crimewatch host Ian Alleyne, shared on Facebook, Ahamad and Singh claimed the police had not interviewed them about Hosein's abduction since the incident happened at 6 am.

Singh said, "Nobody called. Nothing."

He also said police only took information from him about the incident at the hospital, where he went for treatment.

Singh said he was told then that other officers would come and take additional information from him. He added that no one came, up until 2.30 pm.

But sources close to the investigation said one of the angles being pursued is that Hosein's abduction could be linked to failure to pay some kind of extortion tax to a criminal gang.

On claims by Hosein's relatives that they had not been interviewed as yet by the police since she was abducted, sources said officers were currently out in the field and intend to speak with Hosein's family.

This is the latest in a series of incidents during the last five years to have affected the popular doubles business.

On May 13, a Sauce Doubles stand in Warrenville, Cunupia was shot at, but no one was injured. The incident happened around 10.30 am and a 19-year-old man who was running the stand escaped.

In March 2021, Amar Hosein, another member of the family, was critically injured in a shooting at his home in Orange Grove, Tunapuna.

In April 2020, the manager of the Sauce Doubles outlet in Curepe complained to police about his outlet being vandalised. Kelly Hosein-Richards claimed it was vandalised because some people blamed her for the nationwide shutdown of fast-food outlets during the covid19 pandemic.

The Government had then ordered the closure of all doubles outlets but allowed fast-food franchise restaurants to run a takeaway service under the “essential services” exemption from closure.

Hosein-Richards complied but then tried to run a takeaway service so clients would be safe from any spread of the virus. The police shut it down.

Her attorneys Prakash Ramadhar and Larry Lalla complained of unfair treatment.

Subsequently, Dr Rowley announced that all fast-food outlets must close until month-end.

In December 2020, Kareem Jervis, a vendor at Sauce Doubles, was killed while selling to customers at Curepe Junction.

In August 2019, Sauce Doubles vendor Shazard Manick was shot in the head and chest at Curepe Junction. He later died at hospital.

This story was originally published with the title "Doubles vendor abducted in El Dorado" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

A DOUBLES vendor was abducted outside of the popular Sauce Doubles outlet in El Dorado on May 18.

According to reports, Anisha Hosein, 27, was preparing to open the outlet when she was grabbed by three masked men and placed into a car which drove off as soon as she was inside.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera footage from a building located across the road from the outlet showed a dark sports utility vehicle (SUV) pulling up on the pavement across from Sauce Doubles before Hosein's abduction.

The SUV turned and parked close to the outlet.

Minutes later, another car pulled up outside of the outlet.

Three masked men armed with guns got out of the vehicle.

One went inside of the outlet, grabbed Hosein and dragged her outside.

Passers-by scampered for cover as shots were fired and the men drove away in the vehicle with Hosein.

The Hunters Search and Rescue Team have posted notices on social media about Hosein asking the public for information on her whereabouts.

Police investigations are ongoing.

This is a developing story.