Three individuals, including a juvenile, are set to appear in the Magistrates Court in Labasa today, facing multiple charges related to burglary and aggravated robbery. Their alleged criminal activities spanned across Labasa from December 5 to December 31, 2024, involving a series of break-ins that left several families in distress.

On the first reported incident on December 5, the trio allegedly targeted the home of a 43-year-old self-employed man in Bocalevu while he was away in town with his family. Valuable items amounting to $1,104.00, including 5kg of Yagona, mats, and personal bags, were stolen.

The following day, on December 6, they reportedly broke into the residence of a 50-year-old farmer in Vuniqari, Tabia, who was attending a wedding with family. This break-in resulted in significant losses totaling $18,894.00, encompassing a variety of stolen items such as jewelry, clothing, mobile phones, and perfumes.

The criminal activities continued on December 13 when they broke into the home of a 43-year-old self-employed woman from Bocalevu, who was also at a wedding. Her shop items valued at $3,217.00 went missing as a result.

On December 20, the culprits escalated their crimes to a terrifying level when they threatened a 60-year-old woman and her 2-year-old granddaughter in Vunidova. Armed with a cane knife, they stole items worth $6,372.00.

The series of break-ins culminated on December 31, 2024, when they infiltrated a home in Bocalevu while the family was asleep. The victims were awakened to find that items worth $1,817.00 had been stolen, with significant damage done to their property.

This series of events highlights the ongoing issue of burglary and home safety in Labasa. Authorities are working diligently to address these crimes, and the upcoming court appearance represents a step towards accountability for those involved. It is hoped that these legal proceedings will restore some sense of security to the affected communities and serve as a deterrent to future criminal activities.