Four men are currently in police custody following a failed attempt to stage a kidnapping, which authorities say was a deceptive scheme to extract money from a relative abroad.
The investigation began after authorities received reports of a kidnapping involving a Cuban national. It is alleged that a photo was sent to the victim’s father, residing in the United States, showing the victim, identified as “Ivan,” being held at gunpoint in the back seat of a vehicle, along with a demand for US$1,500.
Detectives launched an immediate investigation, which relied heavily on CCTV footage. Footage from a North Road, Georgetown hotel showed a white Toyota Axio (PAH 9098) arriving at the scene at approximately 9:10 a.m. on Wednesday.
The vehicle, registered to Shamar King—who identified himself to police as a constable from Grove, East Bank Demerara—was seen with the Cuban national, Daikol Manuel Tartabull Rodriguez. The two reportedly entered the hotel, met with the alleged victim, Ivan, and shortly after, all three departed the premises in the same vehicle.
Tracking the vehicle’s movements through further surveillance, police observed it traveling through Georgetown before heading toward the East Bank of Demerara.
Acting on intelligence, police intercepted the men in Grove, East Bank Demerara, while they were parked in front of King’s residence. Inside the vehicle, officers discovered a black Astra Glock 17 air pistol—a weapon that matched the one seen in the photograph sent to the victim’s father.
Four individuals were taken into custody:
Shamar King, 21, the driver and owner of the Toyota Axio.
Daikol Manuel Tartabull Rodriguez, a Cuban national.
Ivan, the alleged victim.
Travis Fletcher, a resident of La Penitence, who was operating the secondary vehicle intercepted by police.
Under interrogation, the suspects offered differing accounts. Shamar King initially claimed he was simply hired by Rodriguez to provide transportation, asserting that he was unaware of any illicit plans.
However, the “victim” himself reportedly admitted to the scheme. During questioning, Ivan stated that he had provided the air pistol to Rodriguez and instructed him to stage the photograph and demand the money from his father, Ivan Ruallo Ruiz, under the guise that he was “in trouble,” rather than explicitly claiming to be kidnapped.
The four men remain in custody as the police continue their investigation into the conspiracy.
