LIBERIA: WASH R&E offices burglarized
….Items Value over U.S. 6000.00 Stolen – Criminals have ransacked the central offices of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Reporters & Editors Network of Liberia (WASH R&E) located within the Amegashie Compound on Carey- Macdonald Street interception on Crown Hill in Monrovia, making away several valuables, costing over 60 thousand United States dollars.
The incident occurred Tuesday-night, affecting two of the WASH Media Network’s offices.
WASH R&E Chief Administrator, D. Sonpon WeahII, said the criminals entered the offices through the roof of the building adjacent to the McDonald Street area, leaving their foot prints on the wall.
Office of WASH R&E Chairman burglarized by criminals, leaving the ceiling and covers damaged
According to him, they first broke into the offices of WASH R&E Chairman, Augustine N. Myers, and took away two laptop computers (Dell and Toshiba), two HP printers, a set of new desktop computer, large digital calculator, 3 digital camera, a modern wall clock and a carton of rims of papers, among other valuables.
Administrator Weah also said the thieves later broke into the Administrative Staff office through the ceiling and equally took away digital recorders, a video camera, digital camera belonging to the staff, wall clock and camera batteries and a charger, among others.
WASH R&E Administrative Staff offices burglarized, leaving the ceiling damaged and foot prints on the wall
“We called in the Liberia National Police from the Camp Johnson Road Police Deport on the crime scene and that they have reportedly commenced investigation with no arrest made or any of the stolen properties retrieved yet”, said Mr. D. Sonpon Weah II.
The two private security officers assigned in the compound told the police they did not hear or notice any sounds of burglary until it was discovered on Wednesday morning.
Mr. Weah further disclosed that the Landlord, Dr Emmanuel Philip Amegashie, and some closed-door neighbors expressed concerned, with fingers pointed at the private security officers. The Police are still investing the private guards who up to press time continue to maintain their innocence.
WASH R&E Administrator Weah has also accused the private security guards as prime suspects and termed the burglary as an organized crime against the WASH Media Network.
“We therefore accused the private security guards within our surrounding neighborhood as prime suspects for their direct or indirect involvement, because they need to tell how the burglars passed them to have burglarized the offices without being noticed by the surrounding security guards” emphasized Administrator Weah.
He said the guards either burglarized the offices or aided and abetted the rogues during the incidence.
WASH R&E is calling on the Liberia National Police to speed up with the investigation to establish the hidden hands behind the burglary incident.
Meanwhile, the WASH Reporters & Editors Network of Liberia in collaboration with its host, the “Liberia Media Empowerment & Advocacy Foundation (LIMEAF Inc.)”, is appealing to good-will individuals and organizations of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector to assist the WASH Media Network with some logistics including, computers, recorders and camera, among other media important tools.
WASH R&E describes the burglary incident is unfortunate, and a set-back to the smooth operation, especially to its office activities.
The WASH Media Network said all measures have immediately been taken to prevent the re-occurrence of the ugly incidence.
The WASH Reporters & Editors Network of Liberia (WASH R&E) has meanwhile reiterated its commitment to the enhancement of professional WASH Journalism, and called on its members to remain focused in providing coverage, reportage, awareness, education and advocacy, among others on the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector of Liberia.
