Post mortem rules out initial reports that alleged robbery suspect’s death was linked to him jumping from a building

The Acting Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu has directed an internal affairs investigation be carried out with regards to the death of an aggravated robbery suspect in Nadi on Monday after analysing the post mortem report.

Police say the findings ruled out initial claims and reports that the 47-year-old man’s death was allegedly linked to him jumping from a double story building.

The Acting Commissioner has assured people that a thorough investigation will be conducted to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the victim’s death and those found responsible will be charged and produced before the court of law.

A woman who claims that she was one of the eyewitnesses, says that the man was allegedly bashed up inside the house by some of the Police officers at about 4am yesterday, he ran outside and went up the roof, jumped off the roof and was then allegedly bashed up again in Nasau, Nadi.

Police had earlier stated that the man and two others had allegedly forcefully entered the home of a 37-year-old businessman and stole a safe containing cash and assorted valuable items worth up to more than $94,000.

Police say the three fled the scene and were hiding in a home in Nasau, Nadi.

A joint task force team made up of officers from the Western and Southern Division were pursuing the three as they were alleged to be involved in other similar robberies.

Police had said that the team managed to track the three to their hideout and in their pursuit of the three the 47-year-old man jumped from the second floor of the building where he sustained serious injuries.

The second suspect was arrested and is also admitted at the Nadi Hospital while the third suspect who is from Suva fled the scene.

Investigations continue and recoveries of items alleged to have been stolen from the victim’s home have been made.