POLICE have finally arrested, charged, and remanded a murder suspect who was on the run from justice for 11 years.
Police Commissioner Matthew Varley at his weekly conference last Friday said the man is facing charges of murder and arson in relation to an allegation on 2 October 2007 at Isifai village, in Mbaelelea area in northeast Malaita.
“It is a very good example of where their detectives have continued to carry out searches and case files that date back so long ago,” Mr Varley said.
“I guess it is a messages and emphasis that sometime you may remain on the run for a long time but eventually the law does catch up to you.
Mr Varley added that the successful arrest was made following a joint operation between police in Malu’u and Honiara City on 9 October this year.
“The suspect was arrested at Abira settlement in Panatina, east Honiara on October 9 around 6pm.
“The interesting thing about this case is the man has been on the run from police for 11 years”
Mr Varley said it was alleged that the suspect set fire to a house and as a result of that a woman was caught in the fire and later died.
He said she tragically lost her life after medical treatment at the National Referral Hospital.
“The suspect has been on the run since then and his whereabouts have been unknown until recently.
“…but of course the investigation by the police officers and with support of information from the community led us to identify him as we said in east Honiara on October 9.
“……and obviously it is a long standing case and there are still others who are co-accused in this case that are alleged to be still on the run.
“Our investigations are ongoing there,” Mr Varley added.
The police chief however, could not say much about this case because they are still waiting on the reports to come and take the matter to go before the court.
“…but I understand he was remanded in custody and will appear in the Auki Court in the not so distant future.”
He thanked the police officers for their hard work and the community members who assisted police in investigation.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
