The four accused in the armed robbery shootings at two petrol stations in Fanga and Veitongo remain in Tonga Police custody to appear at the Fasi Magistrate’s Court on Monday, September 10.

Tonga Police said today the two men are brothers, one aged 30 years is the alleged shooter, while the other is 34 years. They were both living at a bush allotment in Lomaiviti.

The two women accused are a 27-year-old from Tokomololo and an 18-year-old from Taoa in Vava’u.

All of them have been similarly charged with armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. More charges are expected to be laid as the police investigation continues.

Police, who arrested the four from Sopu, had also secured the firearm used in the two shootings.

Injuries

The first shooting took place at around 3:00am on September 5, where it is alleged that a male shooter disguised in a mask approached the Konifelenisi Trading Ltd. petrol station at Fanga, and opened fire into the building. Armed with a .22 semi-automatic rifle, he demanded cash before fleeing the scene in a stolen vehicle that was parked at the station.

A male security guard at the petrol station sustained a gunshot wound to his left arm. He was treated for his injury and was released from Vaiola Hospital.

Later, at around 4:00am, it is alleged that the same disguised shooter, approached the Luna’eva Petrol Station in Veitongo, armed with the same rifle, where he demanded cash from the 31-year-old male station attendant.

The accused and the station attendant got into a fight, where the accused shot the attendant four times, before fleeing the scene leaving behind the firearm as well as his disguise, said police.

The attendant is in a stable condition at the hospital.