The suspect in the theft of half a million tala from the Yazaki Eds Samoa Limited has been captured in New Zealand.

Police Spokesperson, Su’a Muliaga Tiumalu, confirmed this yesterday saying the local police are working with the New Zealand authorities to bring back the accused. 

Asked to explain how the accused was captured, Su’a said he did not have the details. 

However, he confirmed the accused is in the hands of the authorities in New Zealand to be brought back to Samoa. 

The accused fled the country last year before Police completed its investigation. 

During a recent interview with Assistant Police Commissioner, Maotaoali’i Kaioneta, he said there were reasons why the suspect managed to flee the country. 

“It depends on how quick it was in identifying and confirming the allegations,” said Maota. 

“The quicker its reported to police the faster we get on to the investigation. In most cases the activities have been done for years and they had only found out in the following year.” 

Close to half a million was alleged to have been misappropriated by a senior accounts officer in March last year.  The employee was sacked following an internal investigation.  

A similar incident happened three years ago where another employee of Yazaki allegedly stole a sum of US$100,000 (T$230,000)