Cops arrest man wanted for string of hold-ups

POLICE in Manus have arrested a suspect wanted for a string of hold-ups in Lorengau town, police commander Chief Insp David Yapu says.
“The police officers, on New Year operations, conducted a dawn raid and apprehended the suspect, Leeroy Passingan, from Manus and New Ireland,” he said. He said Passingan was allegedly involved in the recent robbery of City Pharmacy and United Fuel where a substantial amount of money and goods were stolen.
“The suspect is in custody now and will be dealt with by the CID (criminal investigation division) members,” he said. Another two separate incidents resulted in deaths.
In the first incident, a man died two weeks after he was admitted to Lorengau Hospital after being beaten up by five men at Derembat village.
In the other incident, a man on Bipi Island, who sustained knife wounds to his leg died on Monday.
He was taken to Lessau Health Centre on Thursday and later referred to Lorengau hospital.
Chief Insp Yapu said the body was in the morgue awaiting an autopsy. He said the incident was being investigated by CID officers.