Bailed alleged robber faces attempted murder charges
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
AN accused who is on bail for allegedly robbing $1 million from two Asians who were on their way to the bank to deposit the money, was back in police custody yesterday – this time on attempted murder charges.
Police remanded Eric Junior Nathaniel on two charges of attempted murder in relation to an incident at a shop in Honiara on 7 December 2018.
After granting the remand application, Magistrate Emily Zazariko Vagibule adjourned the matter to December 26 for mention.
The alleged victims in this matter are the owners of a retail shop known as F.J Shop at Point Cruz.
It was alleged that between 8.30pm and 9pm on December 7, an unknown masked man carrying a long bush knife entered their shop.
At that time, it was alleged there were no customers in the shop.
Police alleged that the masked man threw the small black Adidas bag he was carrying to one of the victims who was sitting at the cash till and demand the bag be filled with money.
“The accused at that time tried to close the shop’s door but was however disturbed by the second victim who came and struggled with the accused,” a police brief submitted to the court said.
When the first victim at the cash still saw the struggle, he came and assisted the second victim.
The two victims were said to have tried their best in getting the accused out by throwing a stone and a folding chair at him.
The mother of one of the victims also came and assisted them.
It was further alleged that at that time, the accused struck the bush knife on the two victims several times, which resulted in them sustaining knife wounds on their bodies.
Police alleged the accused then escaped without stealing anything from the shop after being confronted by the victims.
He left behind his black cap, which fell from his head during the struggle, as well as the small Adidas bag.
Straight after the incident, the two accused attended the Central Police Station and reported the matter to the police.
They also handed over the cap and bag left by the accused and also supplied photographs of the masked man taken from the CCTV camera inside the shop.
Nathaniel was arrested by police the next day on December 8 at the King Solomon Bamboo Pipeline Night Club where he was charged for attempted murder.
Police say he was wearing the same cloth he wore the day before when he was arrested.
The accused has been facing an armed robbery charge in relation to an alleged incident in 2016.
He and four other men allegedly robbed $1 million from two Asians outside the Bank of South Pacific Bank (BSP) at Point Cruz.
It was alleged the victims were on their way into the bank to make deposit.
This matter was committed to the High Court for trial.
It is still pending.
