13 Jan 2012

Suspected Tahiti bank robber identified as known musician

12:29 pm on 13 January 2012

The man detained for robbing a French Polynesian bank last week has been identified as a well-known musician.

The Nouvelles de Tahiti says the suspect is the co-founder of the band Maruao, Maoake Tuahine.

He was arrested just days after police traced the getaway vehicle used in the robbery in Pirae.

The paper says he was briefly transferred to a mental health institution before being taken back into custody.

It says Mr Tuahine is already charged over his role in a large drugs case.