Frustrated locals burn vehicle used in shop hold-up

A GROUP of people in Aitape, West Sepik, who were tired of criminal activity in their district, mobilised and burnt a vehicle used by an armed gang.
According to news from Aitape, an armed group drove into Aitape and held up the Papindo Trading Supermarket yesterday morning.
Angry locals attacked and chased the gang members who got away in a vehicle but soon abandoned it near the St Ignatius Secondary School and fled on foot into a nearby bush.
The locals then set fire to the abandoned vehicle.
Eyewitnesses from Aitape claimed the gang were believed to be from Wewak in neighbouring East Sepik.
Local MP and Opposition leader Patrick Pruaitch commended the people for helping fight crime.
Pruaitch said two weeks ago, locals raised concerns about the increasing law and order problems.
He said they have complained about the continuous holdups of business houses.
“I told them that law and order is not just the work of police or those in leadership, but it is the work of everyone and people have taken that message,” he said.
Pruaitch said outsiders had been capitalising on the lack of police personnel in the town to target businesses over the years.
What happened yesterday was the result of frustration and anger had built up in the community, he said.
“This is a warning to criminals that the Aitape community are vigilant and will protect their businesses and property who have been victimised because of a lack of police presence,” he said.
Pruaitch assured businesses in Aitape he would work with local police to make the suspects were caught and answered for their crimes.
Attempts to contact West Sepik Police Commander Chief Inspector Moses Ibsagi were unsuccessful.