Community helps nab five escapees from Kerevat

BY REBECCA KUKU
FIVE escapees from Kerevat Jail in East New Britain have been re-arrested by a joint police and Correctional Service operation earlier this week.
Provincial police commander Joseph Tabali told The National that they captured four men on Tuesday and one on Wednesday with the help of the community.
Tabali said Robert Gita, 26, from East New Britain, who was remanded for murder, escaped on June 25, 2018; Nelson Nelo, from West New Britain, who was remanded for breaking-and-entering escaped on Nov 18, 2018; Elizah Langa, 17, from East New Britain, who was remanded for escaping police custody escaped on June 21, 2018; and Wilson Pauria from East New Britain, who was remanded for murder escaped on April 19 this year, were all recaptured on Tuesday.
Tabali said Augustine Peirtop, 36, from East New Britain was remanded for using drugs and sentenced to serve six months, escaped after serving three months on June 29, 2017 was arrested on Wednesday.
“We arrested them, and have charged them for escaping police custody and they are all now back in prison.”
Tabali said they also arrested two people for harbouring escapees.
“I am now warning those who are harbouring escapees that we have already arrested two and we will arrest you too.
“If you are harbouring them, please come forward and work with us to bring them back into serve their time,” he said.
Tabali said that the operation would continue until Aug 16 and appealed to communities in the province to work with them to recapture escapees.