Cops team up with English colleagues to probe abduction

Jul 1 2009 by Bryan Brough, Paisley Daily Express

DETECTIVES in the Paisley area were yesterday working with colleagues in England in a bid to track down thugs who abducted a terrified man and dumped him hundreds of miles from his home.

The disappearance of the 35-year-old victim sparked a major police search which went on for more than six hours until he was found abandoned in the Manchester area.

Last night, detectives described the daylight abduction in Main Road, Elderslie, on Thursday as “sinister”.

Detective Chief Inspector John Weir, who is based in Paisley, said: “We are in contact with colleagues in English police forces as part of this investigation.

“This inquiry is being conducted professionally and in a sensitive manner and, as a matter of urgency, we would like to hear from anyone who knows what happened or saw an incident in Main Road, Elderslie.

“Officers based at Johnstone Police Station are continuing investigations and anyone who can help is asked to ring them on 01505 404000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

The Paisley Daily Express last week revealed how shocked witnesses had spotted a man struggling and trying to flee from his captors in Elderslie.

The petrified man, from the Johnstone area, was pulled from a white Vauxhall van and frogmarched across to a silver-coloured saloon car.

Moments later, a car with the abducted man inside sped off towards Johnstone town centre. Police were alerted and sniffer dogs were brought to the scene.

Four men are thought to have been involved in the abduction. They were in two silver-coloured saloon cars and one of them is described as having a Northern English accent. One of the suspects ran through the forecourt of a nearby Shell garage in the direction of Paisley.

This man is described as white, 30 to 35 years old, 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins tall, slim and wearing a green T-shirt, blue jeans and white shoes.

The victim is believed to have minor injuries but did not need hospital treatment.