Committal court withdraws case of armed robbery suspect

WAIGANI Committal Court has yesterday withdrawn the case of a 24-year-old man charged with armed robbery for want of police evidence.
Before Magistrate Billy Pidu, police prosecutor Sgt Sandra Holland said the matter was fresh but she never got any feedback from the arresting officer since the offence was committed.
“I have been constantly checking with the arresting officer but since then, I never got any feedback from him,” he told Magistrate Pidu.
“I’m bringing the defendant with me now because the police hold up cells at Boroko are crowded as well.
“I would like to make an application to have this matter withdrawn.”
Magistrate Pidu then withdrew the case.
“I withdraw your case doesn’t mean you are free, the arresting officer has all the powers to bring up the case if he wants to,” he told defendant Helmos Kristna Elias.
Magistrate Pidu said police alleged that on June 18, at around 6.30pm at Gerehu Stage 2B buai (betel nut) market in Port Moresby, Elias, from a mixed parentage of Tring village in Turubu, East Sepik, and Hula, Central, with his five other unknown accomplices, held up Eddie Lavai (complainant). Elias and his accomplices were allegedly armed with a factory-made pistol and held up Lavai in his vehicle while his wife went to buy some betel nut at the buai market.
Elias allegedly came to the driver side and ordered Lavai to come out of the vehicle by swearing at him.
He allegedly pointed the pistol at Lavai and jumped into the driver side of the vehicle while the other suspects jumped at the back of the vehicle, reversed and immediately left.
Police Fox 201 members, after collecting reports, arrested Elias at his residential area at Gerehu Stage 6 and detained him at Gerehu police station.
He was later transferred to Boroko police station cells after he was charged with one count each of armed robbery and unlawful use of motor vehicle.