Businesses warned about gang activities

POLICE in Morobe have warned business owners operating outside Lae city to be on the lookout for a gang involved in criminal activities targeting businesses.
Provincial police commander Augustine Wampe said the gang was well organised.
“The gang is organised and there are insiders communicating with them when going around the districts trying to hold-up business houses,” he said.
Wampe said the gang was avoiding the city because the Quick Response Unit was regularly patrolling the streets.
“They are now targeting business houses outside in the districts,” he said.
“So I am issuing a warning to those business houses to report any suspicious persons to police immediately.”
Wampe admits that there is a shortage in manpower but police will do its best to curb law and order problems in the rural areas of Morobe.
Meanwhile, police are still investigating an armed robbery on Siassi Island last month where more than K30,000 in cash and goods were stolen.
Wampe said the Morobe water police intercepted the armed robbers at Mange in Finschhafen. But the thugs managed to reach the shore and fled into the hills.
Police, however, arrested the owner of the boat and confiscated the outboard engine and the boat.
Wampe urged the public to report any sightings of the suspects to the nearest police station.