Attempted robbery ends in shooting

AN attempt by a gang to rob a Chinese shop in Lae turned fatal last Saturday when one of their members was shot and seriously injured.
The shop owner was also hospitalised after he was shot at by the gang who had unsuccessful tried to remove the shop’s daily takings from him.
Police said the robbery happened around 6pm at the shop located at Voco Point.
Lae Met Supt Anthony Wagambie Jr said more than 10 men armed with homemade guns and knives stormed the shop and proceeded to attack the shop owner and tried to remove the day’s takings.
“A member of the gang opened fire at the shop owner wounding him,” he said.
“The gang was not aware that the shop owner had a pistol. When he reached for his pistol, the gang made a getaway but not before being shot at.
“One of the gang members was shot in the shoulder and back with a 9mm pistol.”
Wagambie said police were alerted about the incident through their toll free number and responded immediately.
He said the suspects fled the scene in a stolen vehicle but some distance from the crime scene, the vehicle broke down so they escaped on foot.
The wounded suspect and two others were apprehended by police with the assistance of a security company.
They will be charged.