Four Maleai robbery suspects identified

Investigators of the Royal Solomon Police Force have identified four suspects so far in relation to the alleged armed robbery at Maleai in the Shortland Islands, which occurred last week.

Assistant Commissioner (AC) Provincial, Joseph Manelugu says investigators have so far identified two men are from Solomon Islands and two from Bougainville,

AC Manelugu said no arrests had been made and that there could be more suspects involved in the planning and execution of the armed robbery.

“I want to call on members of the public either in the Shortlands or in the Western Province who may have any information at all about the incident to come forward to police investigators currently in the Shortlands or call the Police National Communication Centre on phone 23666 or the toll free 999,” he said.

” I want to thank the RSIPF investigators for working very hard on the case to show people in the Shortlands that this is a very serious case and we will find those responsible and bring them before the Courts.”

Initial police investigations confirmed that the group of armed men were also fully armed with high powered guns and were masked.

The RSIPF police patrol boat LATA is currently in the Shortlands with additional officers from Honiara assisting officers from Western and Choiseul Provinces to investigate the incident and to boost border security.

RSIPF have already held a meeting with Bougainville Police over the weekend in their bid to locate the suspects.

The officers are also conducting community awareness in the Shortlands including at Maleai Village.