A 35-year-old Trincity man was abducted, tied to a tree, and severely beaten during a violent robbery and vehicle hijacking in the Santa Cruz area on Tuesday afternoon.

The victim was operating his white Suzuki Fronx (registration PEH 4793) as a taxi service via the "Deliver Me TT" app when he responded to a request around 3:15 p.m. He picked up two male passengers along Upper Irving Street, Petit Bourg, who claimed to be heading to Piarco International Airport.

Using GPS navigation, he followed the route which led through the Santa Cruz Old Road. As the vehicle approached the corner of Bourg Mulatresse, Santa Cruz Old Road, and Saddle Road, one of the suspects pulled a firearm and announced a robbery.