It was around 4am yesterday when Zaria Khan, 20, woke up to find a stranger in her room. She was then hit on the head with a spanner twice.

The incident happened at Alipate Nairosui Road off Khalsa Road in Nasinu. Two men had entered the home by gaining access through the window and then opening the door.

The burglar grills were bent enough to allow a person of small stature inside, who then opened the door to allow two others to enter the house.

Zaria’s mother Fozia Sharnaz, 41, said the men went into the kitchen first, opened all the cupboards and took some food items, including the meat in the fridge.

“From the kitchen they went to Zaria’s room,” Ms Sharnaz said.

Zaria said she was hit because she had woken up.

“I went to bed around 3am. I was studying until 2am and then watched a series. So when the man came into my room, I woke up,” she said.

“He hit me on the head twice with a steel spanner, the third time I put my hands on my head and he hit my hand.

“He then went out of my room. I quickly got up and locked my door. I shouted to everyone in the house, lock your doors, someone is in the house.”

By this time, Zaria’s brother-in-law Mohammed Shafil woke up and also started shouting loudly.

“The two men then fled. They went out of the house and jumped the fence. One of them threw the spanner right at me, but luckily I was behind a grilled door,” he said.

“After this a neighbour from across the road and I got into our car and decided to follow them,” he said.

Mr Shafil and the neighbour managed to find three men sitting at a driveway in Balabala Crescent. He recognised one of them, but did not stop.

He said when they returned home, the Police arrived. They took the Police to where the three men were.

“When they saw the Police, they ran. Two of them ran away and one hid inside someone’s toilet. Police arrested that man,” he said.

The family claimed that people were moving around the area during curfew hours and requested for regular Police patrols.

The family are relieved that Zaria was not seriously hurt. Items stolen include three mobile phones, some cash and food items.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed one man was arrested for the alleged robbery. She said another man was arrested by Police in Caubati for a separate attempted robbery incident yesterday morning as well.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

Feedback: shalveen.chand@fijisun.com.fj