CS officer in court over possession of stolen items

A CORRECTIONAL Services officer is in court facing a charge of receiving stolen properties which belonged to a police officer.
Committal Court Magistrate Paul Puri Nii read out the charge to Joseph Balai, 57, from Lalamaita village in Goilala, Central, and adjourned the case to July 4 for mention.
The items include a firearm and mobile phone which Balai allegedly received from criminals.
Balai had been working as a CS officer at the Bomana prison when he is alleged to have committed the offence.
Police alleged that on Nov 23 last year between 1am and 5am, criminals broke into the house of Detective Senior Constable Lapison Waira (the complainant) at Bomana Tokura Barracks and stole a State-issued hand gun and a mobile phone.
There had been thefts at the barracks previously however police were unable to identify the suspects.
On May 3, a police detective investigating the theft called Waira’s number and Balai answered.
The detective convinced him to meet in Gerehu.
Balai was arrested by waiting police officers when he showed up at the location which was near the Yumi Yet Estate.