Teen charged for damaging three Labasa contractor lorries

Police have apprehended a suspect in connection with the damage of three lorries belonging to a Labasa-based contractor.

A 17-year-old from Waica Settlement, Taveuni, has been charged with three counts of damaging property, one count of burglary, and one count of criminal intimidation.

The suspect appeared at the Labasa Magistrate Court last month.

Mohammad Janif, the contractor from Valebasoga, Labasa, said the incident at the Vakamasisuasua Industrial Area left him shocked.

He said that in over eight years of service with the Labasa Town Council, this was the first time he had experienced such an act.

“The police came and took reports from here after my three lorries were damaged,” Mr Janif said.

“Our CCTV camera was not working at the time. I truly believed this was an act of vandalism, not theft. I’m relieved the police have caught the suspect,” he added.