Police chase armed beef burglars [1]
Wednesday, October 10, 2012 - 18:02. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Tonga police are hunting armed robbers who held-up a security guard with a rifle at a shop in Haveluloto last Friday October 5, including one suspect who was arrested but has escaped from police custody.
The robbers took 30 cartons of beef and Police are alerting shop-owners and the public to be wary of any unusual sales of beef as it may be stolen property.
Deputy Commissioner 'Atelaite Koloale'o Soakai said today that police are looking for three suspects in regards to the hold-up that occurred around 5:00am at the Tui International Shop. No one was injured.
On Monday October 8 police had arrested one suspect, who later escaped.
"Unfortunately he escaped from the police custody when taken into court. Police continue searching for his arrest and are conducting an investigation to the background of his escape," she said.
Rifle
Police reported that two men wearing masks had threatened the security guard with a rifle and broke into a container, taking 30 cartons of beef.
A third suspect was the driver of a getaway vehicle and police assumed these cartons of beef would be sold to shop owners, she said.
"The Police appreciate any information from the public regarding the robbery," she said. The crime report numbers are 922 or 23083.