Four arrested in “burglary turned murder”

samoa-police-headquarters

The Samoa Police Service has confirmed that four men are in custody in relation to what they are calling “a burglary turned murder” which cost the life of a Chinese national early last Sunday morning, October 13, 2019.

Two other Chinese men were seriously injured in the same incident

In a statement on social media SPS the men face charges that range from murder, attempte murder, burglary and theft, armed with a dangerous weapon and assault.

All four remain in custody and two of them, charged with murder and attempted murder will appear November 28, 2019 while the other two will appear November 18, 2019 for mention.

Meanwhile the dead Chinese national has been identified as Cao Yaqing who, according to Samoa Observer, has lived in Samoa for more than 10 years.

The Chinese Ambassador to Samoa, Chao Xiaoliang, yesterday issued a statement condemning the murder and warned against what he decribes as “racially targeted attacks”.

“The embassy condemns the violent attack on the Chinese victims and is concerned, the Embassy requets the Samoan government tp pay high attention to the case, and do a thorough investigation on it in a timely manner,” said the statement.

SPS has also warned the business community, “especially our Chinese business owners to use our bank institutions to safe guard your hard earned money”.

Earlier this year a Chinese business couple were the victims of a burglary where $60,000tālā in cash was stolen.

The Chinese Embassy said they were working with the families of the deceased national for funeral arrangements.