Police arrest six suspects for burning incident in Central Province

Officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) in Tulagi, Central Province have arrested six suspects in relation to a burning incident at Bola Village in Big Ngela on 12 October 2019.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Central Province, Inspector Hugo Maelasi says, “Police received information that a group of boys from Bola Village were drunk and allegedly burnt down part of a dwelling house. The incident occurred at around 6.30am on Saturday 12 October.”

PPC Maelasi says, “Upon receiving the report, Tulagi Police sent a team to Bola Village to investigate the report. After meeting with members of the Crime Prevention Committee Council of Chiefs and elders, police established that at about 8pm the group of boys from Bola Village, were drinking alcohol and playing loud music, shouting and using abusive words, in one of the houses in the Village disturbing other peoples including the victim.”

“The victim is believed to have gone to the house where the group of boys were allegedly drinking and told them to turn their music down. The music was not turned down and so the victim went back the second time to the group of boys to ask them to turn their music down.”

“It is alleged the suspect in the arson incident then assaulted the victim and swore at him. It is further alleged the suspect damaged a water supply standpipe, took a bow and arrow, and chased the victim. It is alleged that after the chase, the suspect returned and poured fuel around the house and lit it,” says PPC Maelasi.

He adds: “The suspects were arrested and charged for various offences including arson contrary to Section 319(a) of the Penal Code, criminal trespass contrary to Section 189 (1) of the Penal Code, common nuisance contrary to Section 172 of the Penal Code and malicious damage contrary to Section 326 of the Penal Code. The suspects were placed in custody to be processed for their court appearance.”

“Police is working on a remand application for the suspect in the arson offence as it is very serious, while the other five suspects will be released on bail to appear in the Tulagi Magistrates’ Court during its next circuit,” explains PPC Maelasi.

“I want to remain the youths and good citizens of Central Province to respect the elderly people in our communities. If you have to drink alcohol, do it responsibly and respect others in our communities. Police will deal sternly with anyone who causes problems in our communities. I encourage our people to report anyone who is causing problems for them. I want to thank members of the Crime Prevention Committees for assisting our people maintain law and order in our villages,” PPC Maelasi emphasises.