Police arrest and charge suspect following malicious damage incident in Central province

Officers of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) at the Tulagi Police Station in Central Province have arrested a 33-year-old man in relation to a malicious damage incident at Vuturua Village on Small Ngella on 6 March 2021.

Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Central Province Inspector Walter Manefakale says, “An initial report states that the suspect went to the complainant’s garden and wilfully and unlawfully damaged 14 matured banana plants with fruits, and chopped down a bread fruit tree and a betel-nut tree.”

PPC Manefakale explains, “The accused was armed with a bush knife and threatened the owner as he (owner) tried to stop him. The complainant then reported the matter to police at Tulagi.”

“Police attended the report and apprehended the suspect at the Tulagi Police Station where he was formally arrested and placed in the cell overnight on 17 March 2021.”

The accused has since been formally charged with one count of malicious damage under section 326 (1) of the Penal Code and bailed him to appear before the Tulagi Magistrates’ Court on 5 July 2021.

“People should not take the law into their own hands. There are chiefs, church leaders and elders, provincial community officers and Crime Prevention Committees around you who can assist resolve disagreements within the communities. Police will assist when the community leaders are not able to resolve any dispute,” says PPC Manefakale.