Police recover stolen vehicles from gangs

 BY JAMES APA GUMUNO

POLICE have recovered a second government vehicle stolen by a gang which uses young girls as bait.

The vehicle, which had been given a new coat of paint and bore different registration plates, was found at Mala village in Dei District, Western Highlands, on May 20.

Police detained one suspect while others escaped.

Enga police commander Supt George Kakas said the suspect was providing full particulars of other members who escaped.

He said they had obtained information from the suspect and should be able to make some arrests soon.

The vehicle recovered was still in good condition, he said.

On May 14, police detained a girl and two youths from Powas village and recovered a government vehicle that had been stolen.

A few days later, police officers were able to pick up four more suspects.

In both cases, the criminals used the same methods.

Kakas said that on May 20, a girl got into a government vehicle at Wapenanda Station and persuaded the driver to head to Lower Lai.

On reaching a quiet spot, they stopped and some men appeared.

As in the first incident, the men used plastic handcuffs on the officer before driving off with the girl and vehicle.

Kakas advised public servants to be cautious to avoid falling prey to these criminals.

“This is something new and we will do our best to crack down on them,” he said.