As the hunt continues for the five prisoners who escaped from the Naboro Medium Facility on Monday night, Crime Stoppers is now offering a reward of $2,000 for any information on the escapees.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said members of the public with information should call 919 and their identity will be kept confidential.
People can also contact 917 or their nearest community post or police station for information they may have with Naisoro emphasizing that public support is important at this stage.
Naisoro said police are also concerned that people are spreading rumors regarding a series of robberies that happened in the Southern Division late yesterday afternoon.
The hunt also continues for the five masked and armed men who robbed the Bank of the South Pacific, Samabula branch, yesterday afternoon.
Police are yet to establish whether the five robbery offences in the last 48 hours are linked to the five escapees.
The escapees still on the run are 30-year-old Isoa Waqa who is serving 8 years for robbery with violence, 28-year-old Solomoni Qurai who is serving a life sentence for burglary and murder, 29-year-old Tevita Sugu who is serving a 13 year sentence for aggravated robbery, 25-year-old Josaia Usumaki who is serving a 26 year sentence for robbery with violence and related offences and 30-year-old Epeli Qaraniqio who is serving 8 years for robbery with violence.
People are reminded that harboring an escapee is a crime and they can face a prison term of two years or a fine of $5,000.
Under the Crimes Decree 2009, Section 197 (a), a person could face a 7 year imprisonment term if found guilty of aiding a prisoner in escaping.
Naisoro said they are requesting the escapees’ family members in particular to not harbor them and to inform them.
Naisoro also stated that until the escapees are caught, checkpoints will remain in place today.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the five escapees may also call police or the Corrections Command Centre on 3100107.
Meanwhile, the Samabula branch of the Bank of the South Pacific will remain closed today to allow for police and internal investigations to continue unhindered following yesterday’s robbery.
Customers are therefore being requested to visit other branches for their banking needs.
Story by: Ronal Deo
Feature
$2,000 reward for any information on escapees
