Farm looting suspects caught

POLICE have arrested 20 “chicken thieves” who allegedly broke into and looted the Zenag chicken farm in Bulolo’s Mumeng in Morobe last Friday.
Zenag farm general manager Stanley Leah, who described the attack as an act of terrorism, has estimated the company’s losses at more than K1.6 million.
Morobe acting police commander Chief Insp John Daviaga said those arrested, including women, were charged with unlawful entry of the farm and being in possession of stolen items.
“The main suspects and the leaders who planned the raid are still at large,” he said.
“We expect to make more arrests and are also monitoring the situation.”
Nearby villagers had taken the opportunity to raid the farm, owned by Highlands Products Ltd, as Friday was a public holiday in respect of the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare’s funeral.
Chief Insp Daviaga said: “We are in the midst of identifying more suspects captured by the farm’s close circuit television footages.
“The 20 arrested have been released on police bail and will appear in court next week.”
He appealed to community leaders to advise those who took part in the looting to surrender to police.
In a separate case, Morobe police has sent notice to two officers in Finschhafen to surrender to police in connection with the misuse of K2 million meant for the Gagidu market development project.
Chief Insp Daviaga said police had instructed the two to voluntarily come to police today (yesterday) to be arrested and charged for misappropriating the public funds.
In another murder case in Muya, outside Lae, a teenager was shot in the abdomen by a wire catapult by some men last weekend.
The teenager died on arrival at Angau Memorial Hospital.
Chief Insp Daviaga said two suspects were arrested and charged and were now in police custody awaiting court appearance.
“The other six suspects are still at large and police are urging communities there to bring the six suspects to police immediately.”