TWO police officers were injured and three suspects arrested after a dramatic early morning vehicle chase yesterday, that ended in a crash near the Laqere checkpoint in Nasinu and the seizure of substances believed to be methamphetamine.
Police confirmed the incident unfolded when a vehicle failed to stop at the joint operations checkpoint with the military at Laqere, prompting officers to pursue the suspects towards the Tovata and Makoi areas.
“The joint operations team manning the Laqere checkpoint had directed the vehicle to stop, whereby the driver refused and police pursued the suspects towards the Tovata/Makoi area,” police said in a statement.
Authorities said the suspects then turned back towards Suva, where the situation escalated.
“The suspects drove back towards Suva whereby they drove into the roadblock and bumped a police officer.”
The pursuit ended just metres from the checkpoint following multiple collisions involving police vehicles and the suspects’ car.
Police said one officer stationed at the checkpoint sustained serious injuries and is admitted at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva, while another officer travelling in a police vehicle received treatment at the Valelevu Health Centre.
All three suspects, including one with a known criminal history, are under police guard.
“A search conducted in the suspects’ vehicle resulted in the seizure of white substances believed to be methamphetamine and alleged house break-in tools.”
Police warned that attacks on officers will not be taken lightly as joint operations continue.
