Copper Bank couple is kidnapped and freed after handing over $15,000

While Williams fights for his life, a family up north in Copper Bank, a remote village in the Corozal District is traumatized following an overnight kidnapping ordeal. The latest abduction happened just after eight on Monday night and according to one of the abductees, the kidnappers questioned them about drugs. Sabino Nah, his brother, thirty-two year old Eduardo Nah, and his common-law wife, twenty-five year old Roxanie Cruz had just arrived at Eduardo’s home in Copper Bank in a Toyota SUV when four men pounced on them. Eduardo was behind the wheels and Roxanie exited the vehicle to open the gate when they were attacked by the four Hispanic men who had their faces covered with T-shirts. Sabino was hit on the head with the butt of a black rifle, handcuffed and instructed to lie on the ground. The three other assailants took Eduardo and Roxanie inside the house and Sabino took the opportunity to run for help. But when he got back with villagers, Roxanie, Eduardo and the vehicle were nowhere to be found. Corozal and Orange Walk Police combed the surrounding villages, but at midday today, while police were at the scene, Eduardo and Roxanie returned in their vehicle. And here is where it gets interesting. Eduardo reported that they were taken to a cane field near San Estevan Village in the Orange Walk District and he and his wife were questioned about drugs which he had purportedly found. Eduardo denied the allegation, but says he handed over fifteen thousand dollars in cash to the abductors. He was also given a cell phone chip and told that he would be contacted for additional money on Friday. In a report to police, Eduardo also said that they had taken his cell phone before the abductors set them free unharmed. Today, News Five spoke to one of the relatives of the victims.

Via Phone: Relative of Kidnapped Victims

“What I can clearly say is that we got a call from one of our relatives that one of our family members was kidnapped. She and her husband, Roxanie Cruz and her husband and they went through complete trauma which the police know about. They have been taken to the police station today where they gave their police statement and then to the hospital.”

Duane Moody

“So they were injured?”

Via Phone: Relative of Kidnapped Victims

“Specifically on the injuries, the police would have to comment on it. Definitely a terrible shock to the family because it happened early in the night and it transpired through the course of the night. It was clear that our family members lives were at risk and they had threatened to kill both of them.”

Duane Moody

“They were asking for monies?”

Via Phone: Relative of Kidnapped Victims

“Every time the family member called, they were begging for help and they were begging for monies.”

Duane Moody

“Could you disclose with us the amount sir?”

Via Phone: Relative of Kidnapped Victims

“No, no. we have no records of any amount. We are desperately hoping that the police officers and the department would look seriously into the situation to bring some kind of peace of mind to our family and especially even to the community because the entire community has been affected by it.”

Up to news time, the kidnappers have not been located. Less than two weeks ago, American siblings eighteen year old Kathen Kotay and twenty-two year old Manisha of Virginia, U.S.A., were kidnapped in the West. Efforts from residents, police and BDART led to the safe recovery of the siblings. Their abductors were demanding seventy-five thousand dollars for their return.