Five people who were abducted from a home at Tofoa on Tuesday night, 20 November, during an armed robbery, are well, after escaping from a location at Tokomololo where they were tied up. Police have arrested a 34-year-old man in relation to the crime.

Deputy Police Commissioner Taniela Faletau said today that the five Tongans, including three males and two females, were abducted around 10:00pm, on Tuesday.

The hostages were tied and kept overnight at a location near Tokomololo. One of the male hostages escaped and informed the police on Wednesday morning, and by Thursday afternoon all the five hostages escaped. They were in a state of shock but not injured, he said.

He said that the hostages are aged in their 20's-30's were alleged to have been taken and tied up in a bush area at Tokomololo. They were taken there during night time and had no idea of the area they were in, he said.

He said on Thursday, 22 November police arrested a 34-year-old man from Ha'ateiho in relation to the armed robbery and abduction. He is remanded in police custody to appear at the Nuku'alofa Magistrate's Court on Monday, 26 November.

No further details were released at this stage as the investigation continues.

In the meantime police request help from the public in searching for a car registered C-15530 stolen by the offenders from the hostages, he said. 

The public may contact the police on 922 or 23-083 for any information that may help police investigations, he said.