Probe into Lae armed robberies

A MAN was shot dead and another injured after police in Lae came into a confrontation with criminals camping at Butu Mountain at the back of West Taraka on May 30, police say.
Lae metropolitan commander Chief Supt Chris Kunyanban said the shootout came after police gathered intelligence reports that some criminals were camping there and were involved in a string of armed robberies lately.
The armed robberies, break and enter, stealing and other crimes committed around the University of Technology (Unitech), East and West Taraka, Stone Gate (near Igam Barracks) were done by a huge number of criminals going around committing crimes in a group lately.
Kunyanban said police, while following up on these incidents, were able to identify the Mt Butu camp and tried to arrest the suspects when they (police) were fired upon, resulting in a shootout.
“Police during their investigation, located the camp on May 30 and a shootout between the police and the suspects resulted in one suspect dead and another injured and hospitalised,” he said.
Kunyanban said four suspects were arrested while many escaped and were still on the run.
The public must be assured that police are doing what they can to ensure those who committed serious crimes are followed up and arrested, he said.
“Police are now beginning to understand and identify those groups of men who go around committing serious crimes around that part of Lae city and are keeping a close watch.”
Kunyanban said criminals were congregating in huge numbers and were attacking institutions and private properties so police wanted the public to work with them to make sure these criminals were arrested. Police investigation is continuing.