Cops charge 4 suspects, recover guns

By JIMMY KALEBE
LAE police have charged four men for being in possession of firearms and ammunition.
Lae metropolitan commander Chief Superintendent Chris Kunyanban said they believed the ammunition and some of the firearms were stolen on May 1 from a security company’s office in Eriku.
He warned the public and businesses to be safety and security conscious as the country approached the election period.
“Intelligence gathering for the election is going on and police will not tolerate anyone trying to build up arms for election purpose or other criminal use,” he said.
Kunyanban said on May 1, about 10 suspects stormed the security office between 2am and 4am using a 10-seater Toyota LandCruiser and stole two firearms, ammunition and an undisclosed amount of cash as well as other property.
“The suspects held up the security guard manning the gate at gun-point and tied his hands and legs,” he said.
“The suspects then broke a grill door and entered the security manager’s office.”
Kunyanban said the suspects then removed a safe containing cash and valuable documents as well as firearms and ammunition before leaving the scene.
He said police were able to get the location of the stolen firearms and ammunition which led to the retrieval of some of the items and the arrest of the four suspects last Friday.
Kunyanban said suspects also named several other suspects involved in the robbery and the investigation was ongoing.
He confirmed that none of the cash was recovered, however, with the information police had gathered, so far more arrests were expected in the coming weeks.