Tonga Police work with regional partners to hunt high-risk escapees

Police in Tonga have launched a regional effort to track down two foreign nationals who remain on the run after escaping from custody in Nuku’alofa.

Deputy Police Commissioner Tēvita Vailea says authorities are treating the pair as high-risk and are working with police across the Pacific to help locate them.

Three prisoners escaped from the Central Police Station in Nuku'alofa shortly after 7.30pm on Sunday, which included 15-year-old Tongan national Angelico Fa'aoa.

The teenager was recaptured in the early hours of Monday and is back in custody.

The search is now focused on 34-year-old New Zealand national Liuaki Fungalei Kokohu Vi, also known as Michael Tama, and 34-year-old Fijian national Adam Zabid Hussein.

Speaking with John Pulu on PMN Tonga, Vailea said the international nature of the case had prompted close cooperation with police beyond Tonga.

Listen to Tēvita Vailea’s full interview below.

“We treat these two escaped prisoners as high risk, given the national nature of this crime that they have committed," Vailea says. “We are working with our regional partners, given that [escapees] are not Tongan, but they were arrested and charged in Tonga.

Police are urging people not to approach either man if they are seen. “We advise the public to stay away and also report to a police station whenever they get any information or see them in their community or vicinity," he says.

Vailea said the pair were initially arrested on fraud charges, allegedly using a fake passport and other theft-related offences.

Tonga Police are offering a NZ$3500 reward for each man, with the payment available only if the information provided directly leads to their arrest.

Police have also warned that anyone who knowingly hides, shelters or helps the escapees could face serious criminal charges carrying a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Tonga Police Commissioner Geoff Turner told the New Zealand Herald that the escape happened before planned security upgrades to the holding cells could be completed.

The work is due to begin on 3 August.

Turner also described Vi as the higher-risk of the two remaining escapees because of his criminal history and overseas connections.

The police commissioner revealed to the Herald that the scope of the investigation extends significantly beyond the island nation.

The NZ Herald reported that the escape occurred before Tonga Police could upgrade the cells. Photo/Unsplash

Tonga Police issued a stern reminder to the community that knowingly harbouring, concealing, or providing any form of aid to the fugitives is a serious criminal offence.

Individuals caught assisting the men face severe legal consequences, including up to 10 years in prison.

The public is advised not to approach Vi or Hussein under any circumstances, as they remain highly unpredictable.

Anyone with information on their whereabouts is urged to immediately call 922 or contact their nearest police station to assist with the ongoing investigation.