Accused officer rearrested

A POLICE officer who was charged with armed robbery and damaging property has been re-arrested because he was unlawfully released from police custody.
Sebastine Savitas, 24, from Wewak, East Sepik, was alleged to be one of several other police officers who were armed with police issue weapons and broke into RMW Holdings Ltd at 5-Mile Whitehouse Trading, in Port Moresby. The offence took place on April 1, last year.
The Waigani Committal Court struck out his case because no police file had been presented in court after more than three months of investigation. His bail was refunded on Jan 10 this year.
After further complaints from the complainant and thorough investigation, Savitas was re-arrested.
However, he was released from Boroko Police Station cell using the National Court bail that had already been refunded when the matter was struck out.
Internal Affairs Directorate investigator Constable Alfred Kambae wrote a letter to Police Prosecution stating that Savitas’ release was unlawful and he should be arrested and locked up.
Prosecution followed up and apprehended the accused who appeared at the Waigani Committal court before Magistrate Ernest Wilmot yesterday.
The other suspects have yet to be arrested and charged.