Police Successfully Rescue Kidnapped Santa Cruz Man

A coordinated intelligence-led operation involving multiple policing units has resulted in the safe rescue of a man who was kidnapped for ransom from his Santa Cruz home early yesterday morning.
At approximately 6:00 a.m. on May 8th, 2026, officers of the Santa Cruz Criminal Investigation Department responded to a report of kidnapping for ransom in the district.
According to reports, a woman and her 43-year-old boyfriend were at their home around 5:00 a.m. when several men entered the premises, abducted the victim, and fled in a vehicle after relieving both parties of their cellular phones. Approximately one hour later, the victim’s sister received a call from one of the victim’s cellular phones demanding a sum of money for his safe return.
Acting on information received, officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit proceeded to La Canoa, Santa Cruz, and districts in San Juan, where they interviewed residents and canvassed areas for CCTV footage. The scene was also processed by officers of the North Eastern Division Crime Scene Investigations Unit.
An intelligence-led operation was subsequently launched under the strategic command of DCP Intelligence and Investigations Natasha George, with strategic coordination by ACP Smith. The operation was spearheaded by Snr Supt Pariman and involved officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Criminal Investigations Department, Special Operations Unit, and the Inter-Agency Task Force.
During the exercise, officers conducted enquiries at several locations, including Kelly Village, Readymix Road, and Laventille. While in Laventille, officers proceeded to a two-storey structure with an annex situated behind a secondary school. They entered the annex and observed a shirtless man dressed in blue jeans with visible injuries about the body. The man identified himself as the kidnapping victim.
The victim was subsequently taken to a medical facility for treatment. Investigations are ongoing as officers continue efforts to apprehend those responsible.

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