A POLICE officer and three other men have been remanded in custody on Wednesday afternoon for allegedly giving false information to police officers.
As a result of this, police were not able to arrest the suspects of the break-in at the Carpenter’s hardware at Ranadi on the early hours on Monday.
Police alleged off-duty officer Tarcus Tukipatu lied to police officers in relation to the location of the suspects of the break-in at Carpenter’s Cash and Carry Warehouse in the early hours of
Monday.
The on- duty officers were on the lookout for the suspect and alleged ring leader of the break-in Stephen Nunukalo and his brother Albert, who according to information they received, resided with his wife at a settlement at the back of the Solomon Islands National University (SINU).
When the officers arrived at the settlement, they allegedly identified Tukipatu drinking with a group of boys.
When asked by the CID officers, as to the whereabouts of the suspects especially Stephen or his brother Albert at that location, Tukipatu allegedly told them there was no one by those names at that location.
The officers returned and crossed checked with their sources who confirmed the suspects resided in that location.
It was also confirmed Stephen and Albert were home with seven other men drinking hot stuff at a newly built single boy’s house.
After calling for back up, police officers entered the location but unfortunately Stephen and Albert left a few minutes before they arrived.
The officers therefore arrested Tukipatu and the three accused, Micky Naokwa, Andrew Timo, Galvin Kali for giving them false information.
Police alleged on the early hours between 3am and 4am of January 19 while two security officers were manning the premise, six men armed with bush knives entered the premise.
They allegedly threatened the two security officers with the bush knives and tied up their hands.
They then allegedly entered the warehouse after cutting of the main lock and removed the chained bound around the main entrance door knob.
They entered the ware house, and Stephen went in with three other men while two others were guarding the securities.
Albert however, did not enter the warehouse but went over to a shop next to Oba to distract him from seeing what was happening at the Carpenter’s hardware.
The accused left after removing the financial controller’s laptop, and large amount of spirited drink.
They also allegedly damaged the cash register, computers and the company’s server.
It was alleged the cost of the damages done runs into millions of dollars.
The officer and his co-accused will return to the Honiara Magistrates’ Court again on February 4.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN