North Malaita chiefs heed call and cooperate with police to arrest men in relation to yacht raid

The communities and chiefs of the Bita'ama area in North Malaita have heeded calls from TARD and the MP for North Malaita, to cooperate with police resulting in the arrest of four men in relation to the recent yacht raid in Bita'ama.

Reports from Honiara stated that police at Auki have already arrested four men after an investigation into the robbery on board a yacht at Bita’ama in the early hours of Sunday October 22nd.

The New Caledonian family yacht comprising a man and his wife and their two children had been visiting other parts of Solomon Islands before deciding to go to North Malaita. It was when they were anchoring in the Bita'ama harbour when four or five men brandishing a home made rifle and carrying knives boarded the yacht and robbed them of valuable items worth around SI$23,000.

Police mounted the investigation immediately after receiving reports of the robbery and on Monday 30 October arrested the four men. At this stage police have recovered two GPS systems, CD stereo system, walkman stereo, binoculars and clothing which they allege were stolen from the yacht. Police are still looking for a home made rifle with a white wooden butt which was allegedly used in connection with the offence.

Malaita Provincial Police Commander Gideon Kadi thanked the community in particular the Chiefs of the Bita’ama area for their concern and assistance in the investigation.

We are also grateful towards the North Malaita chiefs and Malaita Provincial police for their prompt response in apprehending those responsible.