Heamani Lopeti who escaped from the Nuku'alofa Police Station a week ago, was recaptured by police on Saturday, October 13 in connection with the armed robbery at a shop in Haveluloto. Two other suspects remain at large.

On Monday, October 8 police had arrested Heamani for the alleged robbery of 30-cartons of beef from a container owned by Tui International Shop at Haveluloto, on Friday October 5. But he then escaped.

Deputy Commissioner of Police 'Atelaite Koloale'o Soakai said today, police arrested the male prisoner otherwise known as Heamani Nehoa at Haveluloto.

He had no firearm in his possession but he was arrested together with a woman who allegedly had marijuana in her possession, she said.

Heamani was charged with armed robbery and remains in police custody until Monday, October 22 to appear at the Nuku'alofa Magistrate's Court. The woman has been charged with possession of illicit drugs was released on bail, she said.

Police are still looking for two other suspects alleged to have also been involved in the armed robbery, she said.

Rifle

Police reported two men wearing masks threatened a security guard with a rifle and broke into a container at the shop, taking the cartons of beef . A third suspect was the driver of a getaway vehicle.

Heamani's identification was released to the public last week by the police.