Baker’s gang member threatened

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
ONE of the two men recently arrested for their alleged association with gang leader Tommy Baker has been transferred to Port Moresby after receiving threats from other gang members in the Alotau police cell.
Provincial police commander Chief Inspector Michael Tilae said Joe Siara was arrested on Wednesday outside Alotau town and detained with other suspects. But they had to transfer him to Port Moresby last weekend when he was threatened by the other detainees.
He said Alotau police had also arrested and charged an elderly man for aiding the gang by providing fuel, dinghy, food and other support during their crime spree in the province.
Police are now looking for an Alotau hospital nurse believed to have provided medicine to the injured Baker in his hideout. She went into hiding after being sacked by the hospital.
Tilae said the five members of Baker’s gang detained at the Alotau Police station cells threatened Siara.
“They are accusing the gang leaders for benefiting from the loot and not sharing it equally with the other gang members,” he said.
Tilae said Siara and the 11 other gang members in Port Moresby would appear before the Waigani District Court. The five in Alotau have all appeared before the Alotau District Court on various criminal charges.
Tilae said Baker was badly injured after a shootout with the police last month.
“We are appealing to him to surrender and get proper treatment at the hospital.”