THE couple charged in connection with the larceny of gold ashes worth $2.6million and possessing police uniforms returns to court this week for possible plea.
A bail application will also be made for the husband Max Gura.
Gura and his wife Miriam Keni Sasau, who is on bail, were charged with Simple Larceny and Possession of Police Property.
A prime suspect in this larceny case is still at large.
Police Prosecutor Moffat Tei updated the court last Friday that investigation is almost complete, but they need to obtain crucial evidence from one of their witnesses, who is the complainant’s sister. The complainant’s sister is currently overseas.
Although they had obtained a statement from her, they require an additional one.
The complainant is yet to confirm the date for his sister’s return.
According to the prosecution, on 24 September 2024, the prime suspect, who is still at large, accompanied his boss and boss’s sister to the Bred Bank in Kukum to make a deposit.
The deposit was for the facilitation for the export of 8,992.10 grams of gold ashes owned by the complainant, Jevin Chow and his family.
Upon arrival at the bank, the complainant and his sister went inside, while the prime suspect waited in the vehicle.
After several minutes, the complainant’s sister came out and noticed the prime suspect missing, along with the bag containing the gold ashes.
The complainant’s sister searched for the prime suspect, but could not find him.
She went back into the bank and told the complainant and they began searching for the prime suspect.
They rang his mobile, but it was switched off.
The complainant and his sister subsequently filed a complaint with the police.
Police investigations revealed that on 26 and 27 September 2024, Gura transported the prime suspect in his vehicle after the gold ashes were stolen.
It was alleged that Gura used his vehicle to help the prime suspect escape from police and conceal him in his hideout in Vasakiki Village in Guadalcanal Province immediately after the incident.
The prosecution further alleged that Gura received a portion of the stolen gold ashes from the prime suspect and that his wife, Miriam Sasau sold a portion of the gold on 26 September 2024.
Sasau collected $160,000 from the sale and returned the money to Gura and the prime suspect.
The prime suspect allegedly gave Gura and Sasau $10,000.
On 3 October 2024, police intercepted Sasau while she attempted to sell another plastic containing gold ashes weighing around 80 kilogrammes. The plastic of gold ashes was given to her by Gura and the prime suspect.
Police discovered that the prime suspect escaped to Malaita in November 2024.
However, before his escape, he allegedly handed the remaining gold ashes to Gura, who was tasked with finding buyers.
Police also alleged that Gura sold the stolen gold ashes and bought several vehicles, which he gave to his family members.
He bought a Rav 4 vehicle and a three-tonne truck, which he gave to his sister and later bought a Hilux, which he shipped to Auki, Malaita Province.
Furthermore, police gathered information that the couple bought a piece of land at Tasahe B and are currently building a residential home on that plot.
On 5 December 2024, police executed a search warrant at the couple’s residence at Lungga and found a small bottle containing several grammes of gold ashes.
Police also found $6,317.60 in cash, which was allegedly generated from the sale of the stolen gold ashes.
They also discovered small medicine-like plastics for storing and weighing gold ashes in the same house.
The defendants were arrested on 4 December 2024, while trying to board MV Ocean Joy.
On 5 December 2024, police executed another search warrant in their home and found police properties, including Royal Solomon Islands Police Force uniforms.
The uniforms consisted of a dark blue RSIPF cargo pant, one RSIPF Fire Service EMT dark blue long-sleeved station wear, a 511 blue tactical pant and one black OST police raincoat.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
