Carjacker dies in shootout incident

By JUNIOR UKAHA
A SUSPECTED member of a robbery and carjack gang was shot dead on Wednesday night in a shootout with police along a main road in Port Moresby.
National Capital District police operations chief Andy Bawa said yesterday a routine police patrol intercepted the gang who were in two stolen cars around 9pm and gave chase along East Boroko Drive.
Shots were fired and one of the suspects was fatally hit at 5-Mile roundabout.
Bawa said three other suspects fled on foot.
“The gang had held up a driver and stole a Mazda Familia sedan when police intercepted them.”
He said one home-made gun and two live rounds of ammunition were retrieved from the other vehicle used by the gang.
Bawa said the gang had been using the Ford Ranger to carry out many robberies and car-jackings earlier this month.
Police said the Ford Ranger was recovered but the sedan sped off and could not be tracked.
“The suspect’s body is at Port Moresby General Hospital morgue. We are yet to identify him,” he said.
Bawa said once the corpse was identified,  a police investigation would follow.
“I want to warn criminals that they are conducting a risky business,” Bawa said.
“Stop now and change or you will end up in an unpleasant situation.
“Beware that 99% of the time you can escape but police will catch you one day. The arm of the law is very long.”