Notorious criminal shot dead

 By ABIGAIL APINA

POLICE have shot dead a man known to them as a notorious criminal in West New Britain.

Kito Aso, 33, married with a child, from Kurufi in Kainantu, Eastern Highlands, was well known in WNB for various armed robberies and other offences.

Provincial Police Commander Samson Siguyaru said Aso was also an associate of bank robber William Kapris.

Siguyaru said Aso had been on the run after escaping four times from prison beginning in 2003.

He first escaped in July 2003, then in August 2004, August 2008 and his last escape was in August last year.

He was shot while trying to escape yesterday morning after he was cornered at Gigo settlement.

Siguyaru said yesterday from Kimbe that Aso was arrested and charged in 2001 at the age of 19 for armed robbery in the province.

He added while Aso was on the run, he raped a 16-year-old girl in WNB and assisted in organising several armed robberies and other offences in the province.

He said the police were tipped off by a member of the community and conducted a joint operation with prison officers at 4am yesterday at Gigo settlement.

Aso was serving a six-year term at Lakimata jail when he escaped last August.

“This shooting is a start to maintaining law and order in the province,” Siguyaru said. 

“Criminals in the province must take this as a warning and surrender to police. We will be harsh on them if they don’t cooperate with us.”

Siguyaru said the people were tired of these escapees who  put their lives in danger.