Trail runs cold in case of kidnapped San Juan money-lender

Police are still searching for leads in the kidnapping of a San Juan money lender.

Derrick Cooper, 61, was kidnapped by three armed men after he stopped to buy coconut water in Caroni.

Cooper, a San Juan based money-lender and used car dealer, was with another man in a silver Nissan Almera car driving north along the Old Southern Main Road, Caroni on Tuesday, October 1.

The duo pulled aside near the old Caroni Bridge to buy coconut water from a roadside vendor, when a white SUV pulled in front of their car and blocked it.

Two mean wearing what appeared to be police tactical wear with masks covering their faces came out of the SUV alongside a third man in dark coloured clothes and a black hat.

All three men were armed.

They approached Cooper, who was seated in the front passenger seat of the Almera, and tried to forcefully remove him. A struggle ensued and several loud explosions were heard.

Cooper, who appeared to be bleeding, was taken out of the car by the men and bundled into the SUV which drove off.

Police found several spent shells and a black cap with the word 'POLICE' embossed on its front. The Anti-Kidnapping Unit is investigating.