Two suspects involved in a series of robberies and burglaries on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu were arrested by Police at a sugarcane field in Seaqaqa, Macuata.

Police Chief Operations Officer and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Abdul Khan, said coordinated efforts between the Divisional Task Forces led to the arrest with their alleged criminal history indicating the claims.

It is alleged they were involved in several burglaries and robberies in different areas of the country.

“The Task Forces had been pursuing the suspects and following recent cases of burglaries and robberies in the Labasa area, joint efforts shifted to the Northern Division,” ACP Khan said.

“The arresting team has also made a number of recoveries of items alleged to have been stolen from five robbery and burglary cases reported during the months of July in Labasa.”

Mr Khan indicated their team has increased its investigation momentum by identifying receivers who provide a market for such perpetrators.

“We have arrested a number of alleged receivers of stolen goods and we are putting pressure on these illegal markets,” he said.

He anticipated the migration of criminals and issued a stern warning to them, that his officers would get to them.

Police spokesperson, Ana Naisoro, said the two remained in custody as investigations continued.

Crime Prevention Committee Lauds Police For Arrest

Crime Prevention Committee Northern Division coordinator, Satish Kumar, said the arrests was welcomed because this helped to reduce robbery and burglary incidents in Labasa.

He confirmed the arrest was made last week. Mr Kumar, who is also the Duavata Northern Crime Prevention Carnival’s organising committee chairperson, said the arrest was possible through the community policing outreach established in Seaqaqa.

This is part of the collaborative effort of the Police and the community (Duavata).

“As per my information, the culprits were caught after a community member in an area of Seaqaqa provided this vital information to Police,” he said.

Mr Kumar said the advocacy of crime prevention worked wonders during the carnival as people were now helping police in their arrest efforts. The carnival was held from July 9-16.

“Our carnival promotes crime prevention mechanisms and how we as a community can assist the police to apprehend these perpetrators,” he said.

Mr Kumar said people’s trust in the Police would be enhanced with the arrest.

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