Bail in the sum of $1.3 million has been granted to a senior policeman and three security officers on charges arising out of the alleged kidnapping of a 29-year-old man.
Sgt Preston George, 43, last attached to the Police Academy Driving School, Estate Superintendent and owner of J178 Security Ltd, Eldon Asoon, 55, and his two employees Leon Edwards, 33, and Keon Attzs, 31, appeared in the Siparia Magistrates' Court jointly charged with kidnapping and false imprisonment.
George, who has 20 years service, faced an additional charge of misbehaviour in public office.
They were charged in relation to an incident on June 11, 2019 which was reported to the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB).
It is alleged that Asoon, a debt collector for over 32 years, and the two other security officers approached the victim and demanded he pay an outstanding debt.
It is further alleged, according to a TTPS release, that the victim was forced in the back of a police vehicle “that was officially placed in George’s care.”
The victim was taken to the Oropouche Police Station where it is alleged that George made a false entry into the station’s diary in an attempt to conceal the incident.
Following investigations supervised by PSB’s ACP Totaram Dookhie and including ASP Anthony Remy, Insp Sheldon Hills and Cpl Lawrence Joefield, the four men were arrested on Wednesday.
They were charged by Cpl Ralph Rampersad.
At the Siparia CID on Sunday, a justice of the peace granted George $400,000 bail while the security officers were each granted bail in the sum of $300,000.
When they appeared before Second Court Magistrate Ava Vandenberg-Bailey, the charges were read to them, but they were not asked to enter a plea.
Police prosecutor Sheldon Salazar disclosed a summary of evidence to the defence.
He indicated that the file would have to be sent to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for a state attorney to be appointed in the matter as one of the accused is a police officer.
George was represented by attorney Fitzroy Fredericks, a former assistant commissioner of police, and Ulric Skeritt while the security officers were represented by attorney Donnette Julien.
The matter transferred to the First Court for October 30.