It was a gallant and relentless effort by the Police officers from the Samabula Police Station that led to the arrest of remand escapee Timoci Belo.

He escaped from the Suva Court premises on October 14, 2019, while being escorted by Police officers.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed Belo was arrested and was back in Police custody and would face further charges for escaping.

Residents of Browning Street in Raiwaqa, Suva, witnessed the gallant effort of the Police officers yesterday morning.

Manasa Soqo said he was inside the house when he heard the commotion. He said a man was shouting obscenities.

“I came to the front when I saw a man run and Police were after him. I think there were three Police officers,” he said.

“They were dressed in their sulu as opposed to those who come in special gear. But the man was arrested at the ground between the housing blocks.

“They arrested him and took him to their van which was parked near the Vishnu Deo Primary School.”

Mr Soqo said there was a young girl bound for school at that time. He said he called the girl to wait at his house until the commotion was over.

Police are yet to clarify if Belo was hiding in someone’s house in the area. According to law, harbouring or giving refuge to a prisoner is a criminal offence punishable by a jail term.

Edited by Susana Tuilau