Warden's son hurt in Hu'atolitoli machete attack [1]
Monday, November 17, 2014 - 17:36. Updated on Monday, November 17, 2014 - 18:45.
Two men were arrested after a prison warden's son was attacked with a machete during a robbery inside a warden's home at the Hu‘atolitoli Prison compound in Vaini on Sunday November 9.
Police today identified the men as a prisoner Heamani Lopeti and a former prisoner Penisiliti Malafu, who were arrested the same day in a rental car on Taufa'ahau Road in Veitongo. The prisoner Lopeti was out on weekend leave.
They said that at around 5:40am the prison warden Si'i-Kae-Ha Taufa and his family were attending a morning church service, leaving their 18-year-old son sleeping at home.
The two accused arrived at the prison compound in a rental car, and allegedly broke into the house wearing masks and attacked the victim with a machete, injuring his leg. They allegedly stole Tongan mats valued at $7,200 pa’anga before fleeing in the rental car.
A police road patrol with Constables Filiai, Taufu'i and Fuapau followed the speeding car on Taufa'ahau Road, before it crashed into a tree on the side of the road that turns to the Bird Park.
The stolen goods were recovered from the boot of the car.
The men are expected to face charges in court this week.