A security officer at Suva’s Millers’ Wharf experienced a terrifying aggravated robbery early yesterday morning, leaving him feeling threatened and traumatized. Paula Vale, who has been a guard at the wharf for six years, found himself in a perilous situation shortly after 2 AM when several masked men, captured on CCTV, entered one of the shipping companies on the premises.
Vale recounted the harrowing details of the encounter, stating, “I stood still and asked them what they were doing there.” He was subsequently ordered to enter the guard room, with threats made against his life involving a knife. The assailants restrained him and compelled him to lie down while they conducted their theft. “I almost thought I was going to get killed,” he expressed, noting the extreme fear he felt as he had never faced such a life-threatening situation before.
With faces obscured by masks, Vale was unable to identify any of the suspects, and the operation lasted about nine to ten minutes. He overheard them mentioning that the safe they were targeting was “on top,” but he was uncertain of its contents or the amount of money inside.
The traumatic incident has profoundly affected Vale. “I went home and couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking about what happened,” he revealed, indicating the emotional toll of the event on a professional who has dedicated years to ensuring safety at the wharf.
In a positive development, police have since confirmed that one suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the robbery, and investigations are ongoing to locate the remaining individuals involved. Authorities also reported that the stolen safe was loaded onto a fiberglass boat, indicating a planned escape.
As the investigation unfolds, local communities hold onto hope for justice, emphasizing the need for enhanced security measures to ensure such incidents are prevented in the future.
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