Kapris’ run as ‘most wanted’ ends in death

 NOTORIOUS bank robber William Kapris’ fortunes and misfortunes came to an abrupt end on Monday night when he and accomplice Raphael Walimini were cornered and shot dead at an isolated location along the Hiritano Highway in Central. 

Here is a brief chronology of Kapris, who has been referred to as a modern-day Robin Hood and Ned Kelly combined.

Monday, July 22, 2013 (Doa plantation, outside Port Moresby): Prison escapees Kapris and Walimini shot and killed near Bereina government station, about 45km outside Port Moresby.

Friday, June 28, 2013: NCD-Central Commander ACP Jim Andrews declares: “Police officers are assisting Kapris (and Walimini) to hide in the nation’s capital.

“We are getting closer but the problem is our own men are assisting them, these two notorious criminals that are on the run.

“I really want to catch up with these policemen [and] I think I am getting closer to that.”

Friday, June 28, 2013: Correctional Services Commissioner Martin Balthazar warns female officers to stop having sex with prisoners. Warning followed escape of Kapris, allegedly aided by several female warders involved in sex scandals.

Friday, June 28, 2013: Police increase bounty on Kapris and Walimini to K100,000 each from K50,000 each. Police say escapees were moving fast due to people helping them. Three people arrested and behind bars for aiding and abetting the escapees.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 (afternoon after escaping from Bomana prison): Escapee Warangu found dead and floating in the Laloki River. Believed shot dead during a confrontation with police and prison officers on Tuesday afternoon.

Kapris and Walimini at large after gun battle with combined armed forces.

Police helicopter deployed to do surveillance around the area.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013 (Bomana Prison Camp): Kapris, Warangu and Walimini escape from the Bomana prison by walking out the front gate, armed with pistols.

January 28, 2013: Inmate Shane Aitsi stabbed inside Bomana prison, died at PoMGH from blood loss. 

Kapris and two others were blamed and moved to the Maximum Security Facility. Three brand-new hunting knives, believed to be the murder weapons, confiscated from Kapris and his accomplices.

2012: Police and independent investigators alleged Kapris had 15 paid sexual encounters with a female warden at the Bomana prison. The female officer was later arrested and charged, and appeared in court. Her case is pending.

January 2010: Kapris and 11 others escape from custody in a car after taking a warder hostage. A woman, posing as a lawyer, helped by pulling a gun on guards.

Kapris and most rearrested a short time later, along with several jail staff who allegedly assisted in the escape.

2008: William Kapris goes on the run after escaping police detention while convalescing at Port Moresby General Hospital. He was sentenced to 30 years for robbing Madang Bank South Pacific branch.

Facing trial for allegedly robbing Kerema BSP branch.