Inmate charged with escaping from custody, police say

By CLIFFORD FAIAPRIK
AN Inmate has been charged with escaping from custody while serving about 12 years for armed robbery in Milne Bay, police commander Chief Supt Peter Barkie says.
Donald Mariota, 24, from Watunou village in the Huhu local level government of Alotau, Milne Bay, was sentenced on July 12, 2018, and escaped last Dec 19, from Giligili prison outside Alotau town.
He was a gang member of the notorious criminal Tommy Baker Maeva, wanted for escaping from custody as well, Chief Supt Barkie said.
“But last year, there was a heavy police operation that broke up Maeva’s gang and the members dispersed to form their own gangs and terrorising the public,” he said.
“Mariota, after escaping, didn’t go back to Maeva’s gang but formed his own gang.”
Chief Supt Barkie said they arrested Mariota on Oct 31, along East Cape Highway.
“Mariota is the leader of the gang that was responsible for the spate of armed robberies along East Cape and north coast highway since he escaped from Giligili prison.”
He said police mistakenly stumbled into Mariota during a routine patrol along the East Cape road.
“Mariota was among a group of youths smoking drug and drinking homebrew,” Chief Supt Barkie said.
“But when he saw the police, he left the group and attempted to escape.
“That’s when the police chased him and arrested him.
“He was armed with a firearm and fought with three police officers in a fight that lasted about 10 minutes.”