77-Year-Old Penal Retiree Kidnapped, Transactions Total More Than $142,000

A 77-year-old Penal retiree who was reported missing on Sunday has returned home, telling relatives that he was kidnapped by two armed men and forced to access his money. The man returned to his family home at around 12.30 p.m. on Monday. Although he did not appear to have suffered physical injuries, Hunters Search and Rescue Team member Kesraj Sooknanan said the retiree appeared traumatised and was having difficulty recalling parts of what happened. According to information reported to police, the man’s online banking records showed several withdrawals and transactions between Sunday and Monday totalling $142,486.80. The retiree told his family and members of the search team that he had gone to a pharmacy along Ramsamooj Trace in Debe on Sunday morning to purchase medication. He said that as he returned to the car park and was getting into his Toyota Yaris at around 9.30 a.m., two people grabbed him. According to his account, a gun was placed to his head and he was warned not to say anything. The man said he was then taken away in a vehicle and held overnight at a location he could not identify. He recalled being taken to Marabella on Monday morning, where he entered a Republic Bank branch alone after it opened and withdrew money. He eventually returned home later that day. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the reported kidnapping and the transactions made from the retiree’s accounts.