By HAIVETA KIVIA
A ROBBER was shot dead and another wounded in a shootout in Lae’s central business district known as Top town last Friday.
Two others were arrested while two escaped.
The men were believed to have robbed an office supplies company at 2nd Street of K15,000 in cash and equipment.
Protect and Guard Dog Security personnel rushed to the scene and prevented the robbers from escaping in a car.
As the robbers fled on foot, police arrived and several shots were fired, sending onlookers scrambling for cover.
Police identified the dead man as Peter Buli from M’buke Island of Manus province.
The injured man was admitted to the Angau Memorial General Hospital.
Assistant commissioner of police Giosi Labi said police warned the fleeing robbers to stop but they instead open fired.
The other two robbers managed to escape in the midst of the crowd.
Police only recovered a pistol but not the money and equipment.
Meanwhile, over at Boundary Road, residents rounded and beat up an armed man after he robbed a motorist.
The man tried to flee but was knocked down by a motorist.
Witnesses said some men, believed to be his accomplices, dragged him away.