Damion Mitchell, News Coordinator Radio

Several high-profile detectives yesterday joined the team investigating the disappearance of 75-year-old Mandeville businessman Richard Lyn and his 71-year-old wife, Julia.

Mr. Lyn, who is also a Justice of the Peace, and his wife operate a furniture store on Park Crescent, Mandeville. They have been missing since Sunday morning.

Superintendent Michael James, commanding officer for the Manchester Police Division, said the Kingston-based Major Investigation Task Force (MIT) is now a part of the probe.

"Once they get involved, persons from (Operation) Kingfish and the other units in the Corporate Area are collaborating in the investigation," he told The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre yesterday.

Late yesterday, Superintendent James reported that local detectives were analysing forensic evidence including droplets of blood, which were found at the couple's ransacked house in Battersea near Ingleside, Mandeville. Possible clues at their business place were also being processed.

Shortly before midday on Sunday, the Mandeville police were summoned to the couple's house when friends became concerned after they did not show up for their regular Sunday morning activities.

Missing items

The police discovered that several appliances, including a refrigerator and a washing machine, were also missing from the Lyn's house in addition to their grey Toyota Station Wagon registered 5540 EU and a grey Rav4 registered 2694ES.

In the meantime, the Manchester Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a meeting for next Tuesday with the police hierarchy in the parish to discuss its concerns with the crime situation. It is also reported that the parish's Justices of the Peace, some of whom are members of the chamber, are planning a meeting for this week in response to the suspected abduction.

"We are very, very disturbed," chamber president Winston Lawson reported yesterday. "The crime has been creeping up somewhat." He added that the chamber was particularly concerned about reports that criminals have migrated to the parish.

Gleaner Correspondent, Angelo Laurence, contributed to this story.