Public warned of car thieves

National

POLICE have warned the public in Western Highlands and Jiwaka to be wary of a recent rise in car thefts on the road.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Highlands Eastern End Joseph Tondop issued the warning for the people in the province to be careful when travelling to Mt Hagen in Western Highlands or Kimil in Jiwaka.
ACP Tondop said the suspects were most likely based in the Dei district of Western Highlands. He said they were opportunists who were taking advantage of a tribal fight involving the Kimka and the Rolgoka tribe over the Gumanch coffee plantation.
He said the major suspects involved in the car thefts were allegedly from the Kopen Kopi tribe who came to help the Rolgoka tribe fight the Kimkas.
He said people travelling to Mt Hagen needed to be careful when driving towards Kagamuga or Ambra in Mt Hagen, Gumanch in Dei or Kimil in Jiwaka.
He said so far 15 people had fall victim to the robbers where their vehicles were stolen or forcefully taken.