Police say mob beat robbery suspect to death

A ROBBERY suspect was killed by a mob in Goroka town after he and four accomplices allegedly robbed supermarket employees recently, taking more than K50,000, a senior police officer says.
Eastern Highlands police commander Supt Michael Welly confirmed the deceased suspect had been caught by members of the public last Tuesday after the group robbed Jielong Supermarket employees near Goroka main market and were chased by them.
He said suspects armed with an axe, a pistol, hammer and a bush knife held up employees at the supermarket’s exit gate as they prepared to take the previous day’s takings to the bank.
“The robbers took off from the employees over K50,000 in cash and made their exit but the employees and guards sounded the alarm and members of the public came in to assist by chasing them,” he said.
“Three managed to get away with the cash while one was caught and bashed up badly and brought to the police station.”
Supt Welly said the suspect was unconscious and was rushed to the Goroka Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
He said the money was still missing and appealed to the public to help police locate the remaining suspects and recover the money.
“Over a peaceful Christmas and New Year period, the robbery was only major incident that occurred between 9am and 10am on Dec 28.”