Labourer now jointly charged with cop over kidnapping of businessman

Two men, including a police officer, have been formally charged in connection with the kidnapping of 31-year-old businessman Kevin Fiedtkou, which occurred in October 2024.

Okeemo Brumell, a 29-year-old labourer from Bel Air, Georgetown was jointly charged on Monday with Lance Corporal Delon Younge. The Police officer had faced the courts alone last week but Brumel was subsequently arrested.

They face charges of abduction with the intent to hold for ransom, under the Kidnapping Act.

The two men appeared before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court where they were formally charged. Both men were not required to enter a plea, and they were remanded to prison. The case has been adjourned to January 15, 2025, and will be reassigned to Court #1 by the Chief Magistrate for further proceedings.

The abduction occurred on October 10, 2024, at approximately 12:30 hrs at the Giftland Mall in Georgetown. Reports indicate that Fiedtkou was forcefully taken by three unidentified men and transported to his home in Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Once there, Fiedtkou was coerced into handing over $9.5 million, which the kidnappers took before fleeing the scene. Thankfully, Fiedtkou was unharmed during the ordeal.

Authorities had previously issued a wanted bulletin for Brumell, who was later apprehended and charged. Additionally, Lance Corporal Younge, who was allegedly involved in the conspiracy, has been charged with conspiracy to commit a felony.

Younge first appeared in court on January 9, 2025, at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty. He was granted bail in the amount of $40,000, with the case adjourned to February 2025 for further disclosure.

Deputy Commissioner Simon McBean, Commander of Regional Police Division 4A, confirmed that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recommended the charges against Younge following a thorough investigation. Younge is also expected to face disciplinary action for the unauthorized use of a police vehicle in relation to the abduction.

The investigation continues as the authorities work to identify all those involved in this alarming crime.