Police in Kimbe foil planned armed robbery

By ELIZABETH VUVU
POLICE foiled a planned armed robbery in Kimbe, West New Britain on Monday morning after being alerted by members of the public.
Provincial police commander Supt Jim Namora said the eight men, after realising that they were surrounded, marched out using employees and customers as shields.
A female customer used as a hostage was shouting to police “don’t shoot, don’t shoot” as she was forced to lead the men outside.
But the eight men were arrested after surrendering their guns.
Namora said nothing was stolen.
Police confiscated their weapons including homemade pistols and knives.
The men reside at Gigo/Laleki and Section 10.
Two are from Kokopo, two from Chimbu, one from Bali, one from Morobe, one from Kandrian and one from Asaro in Eastern Highlands.
Namora was disappointed because only last week, police in Kimbe initiated a cleanup at Gigo Ward One with the community members to help change the image of Gigo and Laleki.
He said police efforts to work with the people in Kimbe urban would continue despite this incident.
Namora said the eight were lucky to be alive because police were trained on how to engage in hostile situations when suspects were known to be armed.