Gonsalves Reassures Vincentians Following Abduction Of Businessman

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, Wednesday July 16, 2014, CMC – Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has assured Vincentians that the police are vigorously pursuing those who abducted and robbed business executive Jimmie Forde on the weekend.

“I want to assure everybody that we have a lot of officers on this case and we are pursing vigorously the persons who are responsible for this crime,” Gonsalves, who is also Minister of National Security, told a press conference.

“This kind of copycat activity out of neighbouring countries, for instance Trinidad, is not going to take root here, and we are taking a tough line on this, as we do on all crimes,” he said.

“I just want to state that and to give the assurance to the public,” he further said.

Reports are that the abductors placed the 51-year-old man in the trunk of his car and took him to Sion Hill Bay, east of here, where they robbed him of his possessions, including his clothes, and his licensed firearm.

The robbers also took Forde’s bankcard, demanded the personal identification number and threatened to kill him if he refused.

They also took his vehicle, which was recovered in upper Montrose, west of here, on Monday.

Gonsalves, who returned to St. Vincent from Ecuador on Sunday, said he has since spoken to Forde — who is also chair of the board of directors of the state-owned Postal Corporation — and is pleased to know that physically he was okay.

Gonsalves further told journalist that he has had several conversations with acting Commissioner of Police Frankie Joseph and head of Criminal Investigations Department, Assistant Superintendent of Police Sydney James about the crime.

He also said he discussed the development with Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security and Security Consultant in the Ministry of National Security, Sir Vincent Beache.