Police arrest four men on robbery charges [1]
Wednesday, September 7, 2011 - 10:21. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
FOUR men have been arrested by police at Kolofo'ou in Nuku'alofa and charged with conspiring to commit robbery in relation to the armed hold-up and robbery of thousands of pa'anga from the Westpac Bank of Tonga branch at Ma'ufanga on September 5.
Acting Police Commissioner Taniela Faletau confirmed this morning in a statement that the four men between the ages of 30 to 41 years old were arrested yesterday afternoon.
He said all of the suspects who lived in the Kolofo'ou area were charged with conspiring to commit robbery and were currently remanded in police custody until Friday, September 9 pending an appearance at the Magistrate's Court.
"An investigation is in progress at this point of time, but I can add that the large amount of Tongan pa'anga cash was found in possession of two of the men."
Police have also seized clothing items believed to match clothing worn by the offenders while committing the crime.
Hooded offenders
Yesterday the police confirmed that before holding-up the Westpac Bank of Tonga branch at Ma'ufanga, four hooded males had attempted a robbery at the office of a money loan company at the Church of Tonga, Kilikali, Kolofo'ou. They said the hooded men entered the office where they tied up a young man and unsuccessfully attempted to take the safe. The safe was too heavy so the offenders fled the scene without it.
Three hours later, at 9:30am, two hooded male offenders entered the Westpac Bank of Tonga branch at Ma'ufanga. They threatened staff with a pistol and bush knives and stole several thousands of pa'anga cash.
The offenders fled the scene in a silver Mazda Bongo van with no licence plate. All actions by the offenders were recorded by the bank's security camera, police said.
Hotline
The Acting Police Commissioner thanked members of the public who helped in providing valuable information to assist investigations.
Investigation remains ongoing in relation to other recent armed robberies and an attempted armed robbery in Nuku'alofa.
Police appreciate any information that will help investigation at the hotline telephone 922 or 23-083.