-demand ransom
The daughter of popular Pike Street businessman Beharry ‘Natoo’ Dookie was abducted last evening by three gunmen, who have since demanded a ransom.
Roreema Dookie, 21, of Pike Street, Kitty had just exited classes from a school on Thomas Street, North Cummingsburg to meet her waiting boyfriend when the two were attacked.
Police sources told Stabroek News that Joel Oudkerk, 26, was hit twice to the head by one of the armed men. “As far as we have gathered,” the source explained, “after they hit the boyfriend in the head and he collapsed they grabbed her and escaped.”
Speaking from his Pike Street business place, Natoo’s, Beharry Dookie told reporters shortly before midnight that he received a call from police at approximately 8.05pm last evening, informing him that his daughter had been kidnapped.
Beharry said that Oudkerk went to pick up his daughter from the institution. The man said that he is yet to hear anything from the young man about the incident. However, Stabroek News was reliably informed that shortly after the incident Oudkerk was taken to the Kitty Police Station, where he gave a statement. Oudkerk was then taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital shortly after for medical attention. Hospital sources said the man sustained two lacerations to the head and bruises about the face. He was treated and released. Oudkerk’s relatives refused to comment when they were approached by this newspaper.
Meanwhile, news of the kidnapping saw persons gathered outside Natoo’s bar last night. During that time, more than ten police ranks were seen entering and exiting the business place and several other persons arrived as news of the young woman’s kidnap circulated.
A distressed Beharry told reporters who assembled outside his business that he was willing to do anything to get his daughter. The man said he did not know who could have committed such an act and all he wanted was to “have my daughter back where I know she is safe”.
Stabroek News understands that Roreema only returned to the country on Tuesday from a vacation abroad. She was last seen by relatives that afternoon while helping her father, as customary, in their business place. “I don’t know what else to say,” Beharry said, “all I can tell you is to help me…help me tell them that I want my daughter back and I will do anything.”
Beharry said nothing about a ransom demand when he spoke to the media last night.
Natoo’s bar had been the sight of a grisly attack in the midst of a upsurge in crime in 2002, when a gunman opened fire on patrons, killing four people and wounding others including the then Director of Public Prosecutions. The bar is often frequented by high ranking officials. (Sara Bharrat)
