Negotiations are continuing for the release of the wife of a 70-year-businessman, who was released more than 24 hours by their abductors following the payment of TT$150,000 (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) including US$5,000.
Police confirmed that Derrick ‘Stones’ Tardieu was released on Wednesday by kidnappers along the North Coast of Trinidad after the ransom was paid, but that his wife, Clarabelle Tardieu, 47, remains captive. ‘The matter is at a sensitive stage right now and we do not want to jeopardise anything,’ a police officer said.
Attorney Leslie-Ann Lucky-Samaroo, who is acting on behalf of the family, released a statement saying ‘the family of Derrick Tardieu wishes to share that their loved one, Derrick, has been released. He is at present seeking medical attention and care and needs time to recover from his ordeal.
‘His family appreciates the kind words, support and especially prayers throughout this difficult time. The family humbly asks that you respect their privacy and the privacy of their loved one as they recover.’
The abductors had initially demanded a US$2.5 million ransom after the the couple had been snatched from their home at Blanchette Bay, Monos Island, on December 13. The ransom was later reduced to TT$100,000.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had initially described the abduction as ‘fishy’ as she questioned why kidnappers would want the ransom in US dollars and such a large amount.
‘The one at Monos Island appears to be very-I don’t want to pronounce because the matter will be before the police and the courts, but it’s a bit fishy for someone to ask for 2.5 million US dollars.
‘So, I guess more investigations will give us more answers,’ she told reporters last week.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has appealed to all media practitioners and members of the public to exercise responsibility and restraint in reporting, noting speculative or premature disclosures may place the lives and safety of the victim(s) at serious risk.
‘Kidnapping for ransom will be met with decisive action, and the TTPS remains fully committed to protecting citizens and bringing perpetrators to justice,’ Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro said then.
Media reports said that a family friend had received a voice note from a cellphone with a Colombian registration number informing them of the kidnapping.
In the message, Tardieu, confirms being snatched with the abductors demanding ‘2.5 million US for meh release’.
A video of the couple was circulated on social media and showed what appeared to be a gun pointed at Tardieu’s head and hand with a grenade under his head. The suspects holding the weapons to Tardieu’s head were not seen in the video, however.