Two men arrested for attack on US Peace Corps Director [1]
Friday, August 26, 2016 - 13:55
Two Tongan men aged 23 and 21 years have been arrested and charged in relation to the brutal attack of a 56-year-old American woman, now confirmed as the United States Peace Corps Director, in Nuku’alofa last month.
The attack occurred while she was jogging on the Sopu waterfront on Saturday morning, 16 July.
Tonga Police on Thursday, 25 August arrested and charged a 23-year-old man from Sopu with grievous bodily harm in relation to the attack.
Another 21-year-old man from Hala’ovave has also been charged with related counts, which are being processed.
Both men remain detained in police custody to appear at the Magistrate’s Court on Monday, September 5.
Police Commissioner Steve Caldwell said today these arrests reflected very good police work and resulted from a very thorough investigation.
The attack took place on a sidewalk behind one of the residences at the Sopu waterfront, which has a tall brick fence and is a blind spot to the main road. The victim was allegedly attacked from behind, while she was running, knocked to the ground and punched repeatedly on the face before the attackers fled.
The Police confirmed the victim was the US Peace Corps Director in Nuku'alofa, who was unnamed.
The US Peace Corps Director is currently Nancy Gehron.