Man in court for robbing people of money, phones

A man charged with armed robbery appeared in the Mt Hagen District Court on Monday.
John Mas, from Negil village in Mul-Baiyer, Western Highlands, appeared before magistrate Lydia Karre on five charges.
These relate to armed robbery last month involving the use of high-powered guns and a bush knife with three other suspects, who are still at large.
Police alleged that on Aug 7, Mas and three others, armed with two M16 rifles, a shotgun and a bush knife held up five people and robbed them of their belongings.
The court was told that Mas and his group held up Joseph Waka and robbed him of his K4000 Samsung Galaxy phone and K400 in cash in Baiyer.
Police said the group then robbed Anna Joseph of six cartons of soft drinks, a K400 phone and K1200. The gang then proceeded to hold up Kenneth Tony of K26 and a K40 phone.
Police told the court that Mas and his group had on the same day held up Max Matu and stole K280 worth of phone cards, cigarettes, a touch screen phone and cash.
Police said Netali Bob was the last target, losing her K200 phone and K25.
Mas was at large until Baiyer police tracked him down, arrested and charged him.
Police told the court that they needed more time to investigate and get their file ready.
The court adjourned the matter to Oct 12, and ordered Mas to remain in police custody
If he wishes to apply for bail he should engage a lawyer to file his bail application.