Hove murder inquiry detectives arrest three men for helping an offender
Three men have been arrested by detectives investigating the murder of a man in Hove last weekend.
A 26-year-old and a 30-year-old, both from Hove, and a 30-year-old from Scaynes Hill, were all held on suspicion of assisting an offender.
The men were arrested yesterday (23 May) and are also suspected of having class A drugs with intent to supply.
All three were still in custody this afternoon (Friday 24 May).
Sussex Police said that officers would be returning to the scene of the murder tomorrow evening (Saturday 25 May).
They hope to trace two other men and encourage new witnesses to come forward.
Edmund and Albert Nela
Neighbourhood policing officers will be in Selborne Road, Hove, from 10.30pm showing photographs of Edmund Nela, 30, and his brother Albert, 34.
Detectives believe that Edmund Nela fired the shot that killed 31-year-old Xhem Krasniqi, an Albanian scaffolder from Kent.
Shots were also fired at Mr Krasniqi’s brother and nephew in Church Road, Hove, by the junction with Selborne Road at about 11.30pm last Saturday (18 May).
Edmund and Albert Nela, who both live locally, have not been seen since the shootings.
Detective Chief Inspector Jeff Riley, of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, said: “We believe the men all knew each other and we are open-minded as to the motive.
“The initial indication is that there is a personal dispute between some members of two families and that this has escalated dramatically, leading to Xhem’s tragic death.
“On Saturday night, the anniversary of the shooting, we will be in the area seeking to learn more from the community about the two men and to talk to any witnesses who have yet to come forward.
“Neighbourhood policing officers will be there completing their house-to-house inquiries and visiting local cafés known to be used by the Albanian community.
“They will be showing people photographs of Edmund and Albert in an effort to gain information about them and where they may be.
“I would urge people to talk to these officers in an effort to help us further our investigation.”
Xhem Krasniqi
Addressing the Albanian community, Superintendent Simon Nelson said: “We respect that the Albanian community is proud and close and look to each other for support in difficult times.
“Our neighbourhood officers are out in the community and there for you to trust and discuss anything you might know so that the offenders face justice.
“I would like to thank the community for their patience and support so far.”
Detective Chief Inspector Riley added: “From the activity we have done so far we suspect that that Edmund and Albert may have left the area.
“However, I want to warn the public not to approach either man, to think of their personal safety and contact police immediately.”
He asked anyone who sees the brothers or who knows their whereabouts to call 999 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
