Qiliho: Police Will Crackdown On Buyers Of Stolen Property
Police will come down hard on people buying stolen items, says Commission of Police Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho.
Speaking at the Shree Gopal Sadhu Hanumaan Gadhi Mandir in Nakasi on Tuesday, Mr Qiliho said people continued to steal because there was obviously a market for it.
“Members of the community have a role to play in reducing crime rates and refusing to buy stolen property is one way they can help,” he said.
Also in attendance was AttorneyGeneral Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, who said thieves snatched items like mangalsutras (gold chain worn by Hindu women) because they were able to make money by selling it at cheaper prices.
The warning comes in the wake of multiple break-ins on Hindu temples in the last two months, which have been strongly condemned by Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama.
Two suspects who were allegedly involved in the break-ins within the Nakasi/Nausori corridor last month were involved in five other criminal activities, a police report revealed.
Police continue to search for suspects, who are allegedly complicit in the robbery of a crematorium in Davuilevu.
Two male suspects, including a 17-year-old have already been presented in court for the crematorium robbery.
One female suspect was also arrested for allegedly receiving stolen property and allegedly giving false information to a public officer.
While confirming this yesterday, Mr Qiliho said the motive behind it at the moment was more to do with looking for money.
“When we compare that with desecrations of the past - where things were burned and deities were smashed - it is different. At the moment it seems to be knocking things over and ripping up books while looking for money,” Mr Qiliho said.
With the attacks coinciding with Fiji’s general election year the commissioner said the Fiji Police Force was on full alert for the polls. “When we look back at the history of elections, similar events have happened,” he said.
“That is why the Prime Minister has come out with a strong statement that we cannot be playing those cards indifference of religion or ethnicity. “Everybody must have the freedom to exercise their own religious beliefs and that’s important for us to see that we are able to provide that environment.”