By GABRIEL FITO
PRIVATE security personnel foiled a robbery at the Ela Motors office in Wewak early yesterday and chased the robbers into a private college’s campus before the suspects escaped on foot.
The robbers, who were in police uniform, left behind a safe which they were about to load onto a vehicle when the Guard Dog security personnel arrived at the scene.
The incident occurred at about 4am.
Guard Dog operations commander James Kautil told The National yesterday the five robbers cut a hole in the fence and overpowered the guards.
The robbers, who had at least one gun, then used a vehicle in the yard to break down the office door.
They were taking the safe out of the office when one of the guards shouted for help, alerting the Guard Dog office next door.
On seeing the Guard Dog staff approaching, the thieves fired a shot in the air and drove off in the vehicle from the yard, leaving behind the safe.
Mr Kautil and his inspection supervisor Ephraim Kanbia gave chase.
The robbers sped down Dagua Market and crashed through the main gate of Kaindi St Benedict’s campus before driving into a drain and escaping on foot.
Ela Motors branch manager Pius Tende said he was shocked by the incident.
Wewak police are investigating.
Mr Kautil said the festive season was approaching and advised business houses and the public to be security-conscious.