By Alicia Chamely
A US$2.5 million is being demanded for the release of well-known boat yard operator Derek “Stones” Tardieu, 70, and his wife Claribel, 47.
Tardieu, who runs a boatyard in Chaguaramas, resides on Monos island where he runs a farm and a vacation rental.
Reports indicate the couple was reported missing on Saturday night, after neither could be reached by phone. Tardieu’s son arrived at his father’s home to find it ransacked.
It was confirmed by police that a voice note was sent to a relative around 9.44pm, with Tardieu saying, “de have meh and want $2.5 million US for meh release.”
On Monday a video was circulated of Tardieu and his wife in a heavily forested area, pleading for their ransom to be paid, while an individual off screen was holding a grenade to Tardieu’s chest, and a high-powered rifle to his head.
He was heard on the video saying, “Robert, please dinero from muchacho, my life, my wife, no good.”
Relatives said Tardieu suffered from a heart condition and brain tumour and was dependent on medication.
Officers from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Homicide Division were investigating and have appealed to the public for any information that would assist in locating and rescuing the Tardieu’s.
Calls and messages to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) North-West and Special Operations Richard Smith were not answered at the time of publication.
