Lone prison guard foils firearms theft

By SENT TIMBI
THE bravery of a lone guard has foiled robbers’ attempt to steal firearms from the Baisu jail main armoury in Western Highlands.
Five men with high-powered firearms struck the jail at about 2am last Saturday to gain entry into the main administration and armoury premises.
However, they were found by a lone night guard who engaged them in a three-hour gun battle that shocked residents and inmates.
Baisu CS officers told The National at Baisu yesterday the suspects were armed with what they believed to be .22 calibre gun, AR15 rifle, a self-loading assault rifle, an AK47 rifle and a magnum revolver.
However, they decline dto name the guard for security reasons.
The gang used an electric grinding machine and a crowbar to break into the office and armoury premises at around 2am.
But the night guard who carried only a shotgun with four spare cartridges found them.
After a three-hour gun fight, the suspects withdrew from the jail compound.
Fellow officers said the lone guard raised the alarm for other officers who responded by felling a tree across the main power lines causing a blackout inside the prison compound.
The CS officers said the blackout confused the thugs who shot aimlessly before retreating and without taking any loot.
Baisu CS officers and families commended the lone officer for his bravery that saved not only the prison armory but the lives of officers and their families.
Sources said this was the second time the criminals made their attempts to break into the armoury. Thee first incident took place last Oct 17 in which the criminals also failed to take anything.