Suspect shot dead in failed robbery

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
A suspect that was involved in the killing of a policeman was shot dead in Port Moresby during a failed armed robbery of an armoured car last week, police said yesterday.
The suspect had knifed late first constable Felix Yautuk in June 2005 when he was among a gang who were escaping after holding up Stop N Shop at North Waigani.
He was detained and questioned over the late constable Yautuk’s death but was released due to lack of evidences.
Late constable Yautuk, 46, from Urumbanat village, Ambunti district, East Sepik province, despite being off duty had attempted to disarmed the suspect when he was knifed to death.
The suspect with another of his companion were shot dead by Protect Security guards and police when they attempted to hold up a armoured vehicle loaded with three trunks full of gold bars near YWCA hostel at Two Mile on Dec 13 at about 10.30am.
Two suspects now being detained at Boroko police station are yet to be charged due to insufficient information.
“We are still waiting for either the Tolukuma gold mine operator or Protect Security officers to provide us the value of the gold bars that were being transported when the incident occurred before we can charge the suspect,” police said.
“The gold bars that were in the armoured car that belonged to Tolukuma gold mine was on its way to a bank in Downtown Port Moresby when armed suspects in four cars attempted to hold it up during a 10-minute shoot out between the suspects, guards and police.
“The rest of the suspects escaped in their vehicles without taking the gold bars.
“One of the security firm’s expatriate employee, who was an escort of the armoured car, was shot in his shoulder blade and is now recovering at the Port Moresby General Hospital.”