One killed, over K5000 stolen in shop robbery

By JIMMY KALEBE
GAWAPU village in the Mumeng local-level government area of Bulolo in Morobe came under attack by armed criminals last Saturday when they stormed two shops and made off with goods worth more than K3000 and cash over K5000.
The attack left a shop assistant dead.
Police believe the criminals were from Bulolo who teamed up with suspects from the village to carry out the robbery, according to provincial commander Augustine Wampe.
“More than 10 men armed with bush knives and guns held up two shops at around 2pm and made off with a substantial amount of cash and store goods,” he said.
Wampe said the criminals shot dead a shop assistant.
Efforts by police from Bulolo, Mumeng, Mobile Squad 13 and Sector Response Unit from Lae Metro resulted in four suspects being arrested.
Police believed one of the suspects apprehended was an escapee from Buimo jail who was charged with murder.
Wampe said the community acted in good faith by making sure all the escape routes for the criminals were blocked off until police arrived.
“This shows how committed the people are in combating law and order problems in their communities and I am very thankful for that,” he said.
Meanwhile, six suspects were apprehended following a string of break-ins and stealing at Zenag Farm in Mumeng.
However, some of them have escaped.